ODM’s Etale calls out critics of economic empowerment programme
By Valerian Khakayi, August 5, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Philip Etale has taken a swipe at leaders who initially dismissed the government’s economic empowerment programme but are now actively participating in it for political mileage.
Taking to his official X account on Monday night, August 4, 2025, Etale accused the critics of hypocrisy, noting that many of them had previously branded the initiative a waste of time and resources and linked it to corruption.
However, he says that the same individuals are now seen spearheading empowerment events, distributing large sums of money and resources in public gatherings, forgetting they had earlier denounced the initiative.
“The Economic Empowerment Program was badly criticised when it was started. Eti, ooh! It is a waste of time; it is for the proceeds of corruption, etc, etc. But today, it has become so lucrative and such a campaign platform that even the critics have now embraced it, splashing millions of fulus, forgetting their earlier hard-line stand. Hehe, it is called Janus-faced,” Etale slammed critics.
Empowerment programme
The Economic Empowerment Programme has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters say it uplifts marginalised communities, while opponents question its transparency and long-term impact.
Kindiki on empowerment programme
This comes after Kindiki defended his empowerment initiative, clarifying that the programme is aimed at supporting women’s businesses through structured groups and not for casual or personal spending.
Speaking during the economic empowerment forum in Baringo County on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Kindiki emphasised that the funds are part of a structured effort to empower women economically and are disbursed through registered groups to ensure accountability and impact.
Additionally, the second in command added that the initiative is rooted in economic empowerment rather than political tokenism.
“Wamama wamefanya alot of work, Kuna watu wanaongea mambo ya uwongo huko nje sisi hii pesa tunasaidia vikundi sio pesa ya kugawanya watu waende kununua kitenge, akina mama waende kununua vitenge hii ni pesa ya biashara, ni mambo ya kusaidia kina mama kwa biashara na wanasaidiwa kupitia vikundi,” Kindiki clarified.
“Tutakuja kwa mambo ya vijana baadaye na mambo ya wazee kwa sababu pia wao wako na vikundi vyao because we want everybody to be empowered; sio pesa ya kugawanya na kukula mikate na kunywa soda, hii niya kujenga jamii, tumeanza na kina mama kwa sababu wanajua kuchunga pesa.”