Kenya Kwanza leaders defend empowerment drive millions amid opposition criticism
The Kenya Kwanza
brigade, led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, has pushed back against
mounting criticism from the opposition, spearheaded by former Deputy President
Rigathi Gachagua, over the origins of funds in the nationwide empowerment
programmes.
Government
leaders, many seen as close allies of President William Ruto, have been
distributing millions of shillings in various regions, raising questions about
the source of these funds.
On Saturday,
President Ruto disbursed a total of Ksh.9 million across three separate
empowerment events, while DP Kindiki contributed Ksh.4 million.
Significant sums,
amounting to millions of shillings, have been handed out at these events,
prompting the opposition to demand transparency regarding the origin of the
money.
However, top
government officials have defended the programmes, insisting their sole focus
is on development, dismissing the criticism as politically motivated.
"Eti kuna
watu hawataki hii maendeleo tunawaletea, sasa wanaongea vibaya na madharau.
Sisi hii maendeleo tutaendelea nayo wapende wasipende," Kindiki said.
"Wale
wapinzani ambao hawana maana wanasema wamama waendelee kuteseka. Nyinyi
mnawaambia shetani ashindwe ama namna gani?" President Ruto's
aide Farouk Kibet added.
As the opposition
urges Kenyans not to be swayed by the cash being distributed by government
officials, Kenya Kwanza leaders have countered by questioning the source of
Gachagua’s own funds and his lack of similar empowerment drives.
"Kazi yao ni
kututusi eti tumekuja kufanya maendeleo ya kina mama. Sisi hatutasita. Nyinyi
mlipora pesa kwa maofisi. Kwanza yule suti kombo, yule alifukuzwa kwa ofisi kwa
kukosa kufanya kazi, leo kazi yake ni matusi." said National Assembly
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
Kindiki added,
"Usidharau reli kwa sababu ya wembamba, gari la moshi itapita sawa sawa.
Uongozi sio kelele, ni kutenda."
"Tunashikanisha
Wakenya pamoja na pia tunahakikisha wanapata kitu ya kujiendeleza
kimaisha," Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa noted.
As government
critics continue to push the one-term narrative, DP Kindiki has dismissed these
claims, asserting that the administration’s track record will ultimately speak
for itself.
"Msitutishe
kwa kusema tutahudumu mihula mingapi. Kilicho muhimu ni kile tutakachowafanyia
Wakenya ndani ya muda tuliopo madarakani," said Kindiki.
In total,
President Ruto contributed Ksh.9 million at empowerment events in
Kimilili, Masinga, and Kangundo constituencies, while DP Kindiki donated Ksh.4
million in Masinga and Kangundo. Politicians collectively
contributed Ksh.6.2 million in the Kimilili constituency alone.
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