Irungu Nyakera questions Ruto’s empowerment porgramme for Nairobi youth
The Democracy for Citizens’ Party (DCP) Nairobi Patron, Irungu Nyakera, has said that hundreds of youths were kept waiting in the State House only to be misled.
Speaking to Milele FM on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Nyakera also agreed with reports that most who attended the empowerment event at State House did not receive the motorbikes they had expected.
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Nyakera said that, from his observation, the whole programme looked more like a commercial venture than genuine empowerment.
“Mimi nikiona maneno kama hayo ya empowerment, mimi naona kama ni kabiashara kamefunguliwa,” he remarked.
Questions on ownership
He further questioned the ownership of the motorbikes distributed during the event.
“Kwanza hizo pikipiki zilikuja na licence, nani alisajili? Iko kwa jina ya nani? Logbook iko kwa jina ya nani?” Nyakera asked.
Moreover, he claimed that many young people who attended had shared troubling details with him.
“Nimeongea na watu kadhaa wenye walienda State House, wanalipa Ksh300 kwa kila siku ili sasa pikipiki ikue yako. Na ujue zote ni za stima, ukimiss kulipa zinazimwa,” he explained.
According to him, such arrangements place an unnecessary financial burden on youths who were expecting free tools to earn a living.
Concerns
Nyakera also criticised the use of public resources for the event.
“Hii empowerment yenyewe, wacha tuachie mtu anasimama viti za MP, MCA, juu nimefanya hesabu pesa zilitumika pale State House kupikia hao vijana wote, na hii ni pesa economy wanasema hawana,” he said.
Thus, he argued that instead of high-profile gatherings with questionable outcomes, the government should channel funds toward sustainable youth programmes.
In addition, he stressed that the focus should be on fairness and integrity in distributing opportunities.
Nyakera concluded by saying that young people need genuine avenues for growth, not publicity stunts.
“Youths wanataka vitu kama internships, na ikue na usawa, si ufisadi,” he stated.
Consequently, he urged leaders to create initiatives that offer lasting benefits, such as skills development and equal access to employment opportunities.
He appealed to the youth to remain vigilant and to speak up whenever promises made to them are not honoured, noting that accountability is key to real empowerment.
