Ichung’wah scoffs at Maraga over empowerment programmes criticism
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has sharply criticised former Chief Justice David Maraga for questioning the effectiveness of grassroots economic empowerment programmes, particularly those offering small-scale financial support.
Ichung’wah’s remarks come as political tensions rise ahead of the 2027 elections, with empowerment programs becoming a key point of contention among political aspirants. He reiterated that transformative leadership must be practical, not theoretical.
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Speaking at a community event in Kiambu County on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Ichung’wah dismissed Maraga’s recent remarks questioning what 1,000 shillings can do to transform lives, calling them arrogant and out of touch with ordinary Kenyans.
“I heard somebody arrogantly asking, ‘What can 1,000 shillings do?’ And they want to become president? Most of us have come from nothing. Even 500 shillings can make a difference in someone’s life,” he said.
Maraga, during a recent public lecture, cast doubt on the value of low-capital empowerment initiatives being rolled out by some political leaders, suggesting they may not be meaningful in addressing deep-rooted poverty.
Ichung’wah strongly disagreed, arguing that such initiatives, however small, are vital for economically uplifting the poor.
“Somebody saying the programs you are doing are meaningless and useless—that is arrogance. If you want to empower people, allow us to help the downtrodden. That is the Kenya we want,” Inchung’wah charged.
The Majority Leader emphasised that genuine leadership must connect with the needs of ordinary citizens.
“Even those in the villages have dignity. Empowerment starts with listening and helping them where they are. If you want to be president, start by respecting small beginnings,” he asserted.
Maraga on empowerment programmes
The legal veteran dismissed the recent empowerment drives in the country, where senior state officials have traversed various parts of the country to dish out money to groups.
Speaking during a live TV interview on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Maraga stated that the recent spate of empowerment drives does not solve the underlying problems of the economy.
“Don’t go out dishing money to people when you are supposed to revamp the economy so that these people can earn their own money,” Maraga said.
“When you give them Ksh1,000 or Ksh2,000, how long will it last? What we want Kenyans to know is that they should not be bought. They should not be given a few hundred or thousands of shillings on the eve of the elections to vote for the wrong people.”
