UDA treasurer defends splashing of money in empowerment drives amid increased scrutiny
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 11, 2025United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Treasurer, Japheth Nyakundi, has come out strongly in defence of the financial support being extended to women and youth under the bottom-up economic model, stating it is a fulfilment of the promises made during the 2022 campaigns.
Speaking at the Cherangany Constituency Economic Empowerment Forum held at Kipkeikei Grounds on Friday, July 11, 2025, Nyakundi said the initiative is a deliberate and targeted effort to uplift grassroots communities, particularly women and young people.
“Tulipokuwa tunatafuta kura tulisema tutainua kina mama. Tuinue vijana kutoka bottom kuelekea wapi? Wale walidhani Bottom-Up ni ingine — sasa Bottom-Up ni hii,” Nyakundi told the crowd.
Translation: “When we were looking for votes, we said we would uplift women. Where were we supposed to lift the youth from, if not from the bottom? Those who thought Bottom-Up meant something else, this is what Bottom-Up truly is.”
He emphasised that those complaining about the initiative should focus on their own development efforts instead of criticising others for empowering communities.
“Na sisi tumeleta pesa zetu ili tusaidie akina mama na vijana. Wale wengine wanaskia vibaya kwa sababu tumeleta pesa zetu, tunataka kuwaambia shauri yao. Pesa ni zetu. Zenu nyinyi fanyieni ile kitu mnataka. Wacha sisi tusaidie akina mama hapa.”
Translation: “We’ve brought our own money to support women and youth. Others are feeling bad because we’ve brought our money, we want to tell them that’s their problem. This money is ours. Use your money for whatever you want. Let us help the women here.”
Nyakundi questioned why empowering women through financial aid was being politicised, stating that they had every right to use their resources to support local communities.
“Tumefanya vibaya kuleta pesa zetu hapa? Hao wenyewe wameleta pesa zao hapa? Si waachane na sisi na pesa zetu?”
Translation: “Have we done wrong by bringing our money here? Have they brought their own money here? Then why don’t they just leave us alone with our money?”
Defends Ruto
The UDA treasurer also defended President William Ruto against critics, saying the Head of State is being targeted because of his commitment to ensuring development reaches every corner of the country.
“Hawa watu wanapiga rais wetu vita kwa sababu ameamua ya kwamba this country’s development must go everywhere.”
Translation: “These people are fighting our President because he has decided that development in this country must reach everywhere.”
Turning to recent protests and public unrest, Nyakundi condemned violence and acts of destruction, warning that such actions have no place in building a democratic nation.
“You cannot govern a country by burning a police station,” he said. “The only way you can win an election is through the ballot. Wacha wajipange 2027 tukutane kwa debe, tukanyangane na wao mapema saa kumi na mbili.”
Translation: “You cannot govern a country by burning a police station,” he said. “The only way to win an election is through the ballot. Let them prepare themselves for 2027, we’ll meet at the ballot box and face off early in the morning at 6 o’clock.”
The Cherangany forum was part of UDA’s ongoing grassroots engagement, where women’s groups and youth initiatives received support as part of the government’s Bottom-Up economic transformation agenda.