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Nyutu says Kindiki is using empowerment drives to campaign for Ruto
05th August, 2025 10:33 AM
Murang’a County Senator Joe Nyutu has faulted the empowerment drives led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, saying they are being used to campaign for President William Ruto’s 2027 bid.
Speaking to one of the local TV stations on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, where he faced off with Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, Nyutu said the events being branded as empowerment forums are in fact thinly disguised political rallies.
“To me, this isn’t real empowerment, it’s political campaigning,” Nyutu said. “There’s no mention of budget allocations, no cheques, just cash handouts.”
Concerns over transparency
Nyutu claimed that the money being distributed at the events is not formally accounted for and accused organisers of concealing the source of the funds.
“When questioned, we’re told the people giving out money are simply generous,” he said. “These events are political rallies filled with speeches, often mocking Rigathi Gachagua and others, before announcing token donations to women’s groups.”
He also cited media reports that some women attending the events were given as little as KSh 2,000 to share after waiting all day, often required to sing or perform before the handouts.
Cherargei defends the programme
In response, Senator Samson Cherargei defended the initiative, saying it was well-intentioned and had not been linked to any misuse of public funds.
“Politics of empowerment are here with us,” Cherargei said. “What our opponents haven’t done is accuse us of any financial misappropriation.”
He dismissed claims that the contributions were meaningless, insisting they made a tangible difference in the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
“When Senator Nyutu says that KSh 2,000 doesn’t mean much to an individual, I can tell you that women selling sukuma wiki and boda boda riders don’t make that much in profit per day,” Cherargei said.
Personal contributions or political influence
Cherargei also clarified that most donations and transport logistics, including helicopters used during the tours, are funded personally by supporters of the empowerment agenda.
“Giving or being generous doesn’t mean we have a lot, it means we’re willing to share the little we have, and that is what we are doing in these programmes,” he added.
