Kenyans rally behind MP Salasya after viral smoking video

Kenyans appear ready to defend Mumias East MP Peter Salasya against any criticism, if online comments are anything to go by.

In a viral video, the youthful legislator is seen smoking while addressing claims that the ODM party plans to field a candidate against him in the 2027 elections.

"Nimeskia ati Raila anaweza leta ODM, alete mtu huko Mumias aniangushe kura huko, hawajui Peter Salasya ni nani," he says.

The video quickly went viral, attracting the attention of fellow lawmakers, including Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, who reposted it with the caption: “Best Kenyan MPs according to @infotrakN.”

However, Kenyans on X did not take this lightly and called him out.

A user named @meshac commented, “Key performance indicators should not be based on subjective entertainment preferences.”

Another, @mbiti_steve, said, “Leadership should be based on development, not blogging like you. After all this blogging, you’ll still come here and start crying that Mt Kenya gets more development projects due to government favouritism, yet instead of working for your people, you’re here yapping.”

@lukas_omondi1 weighed in, “A good leader's work should speak louder than their personal habits. Trying to discredit someone's achievements over smoking is a weak attempt at distraction. Let’s focus on real impact, not optics.”

Another user, @ClementShikanda, took a more personal jab at Kaluma, writing, “Wewe tulia, ungoje ile siku wataanza kurank most disciplined MPs, but for now, Salasya is the most performing MP.”

According to a recent survey by research firm Infotrak, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino ranked as the top-performing MP with a score of 72 per cent, followed closely by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro at 71 per cent. Salasya ranked fifth with a score of 61 per cent.

Since taking office, MP Salasya has frequently been in the spotlight—not just for his political remarks but also for his choice of hairstyle, lifestyle, and active presence on social media, where he shares various aspects of his life, both personal and professional.