Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has slammed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for what he termed as the misuse of public resources through the countrywide empowerment programmes.
Speaking in Mwala on Saturday, August 24, the deputy county chief claimed that the DP should be transparent during these programmes and reveal exactly where the resources are sourced from.
According to Mwangangi, the aggressive empowerment programmes, which he claimed are aimed at confusing Kenyans politically, will end up depriving public resources, which will in turn undermine development programmes pumped into counties.
"For the first time in the history of this country, we are witnessing the biggest theft of public funds through unorthodox means by the top government officials who are daringly and shamelessly doing it before the eyes of Kenyans," the governor stated.
"There are some empowerment programs where the deputy president and other leaders are donating more than 200 million in less than a month, and yet we know your salary. Instead of giving us money like that, call us somewhere in a gathering and tell us the businesses you are doing so that we may also do them," he added.
Mwangangi, who expressed his opposition to the Kenya Kwanza administration, claimed that there is a need for the country to be united and be keen to vote for leaders who will bring economic and political stability in the country.
"The time has come when the entire Kamba community should join other Kenyans in shaping out the current oppressive regime to pave the way for the most honest presidential candidate," he stated.
Since launching the empowerment programmes earlier this year, Kindiki has been under intense scrutiny over the source of the funds and resources used to run them.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, June 24, Deputy Minority Leader of the National Assembly, Robert Mbui, warned that Kindiki’s net worth will drastically decline if he continues giving out donations during women empowerment tours and harambees.
The Kathiani Lawmaker argued that the DP’s frequent donations, reportedly Ksh2 million per event, could see him spend nearly his entire net worth by the time he leaves office, even if he were to liquidate his hard assets.
“It is very strange because people don’t give the same amount of money during harambees, but these particular ones, every function they go to, the President’s donation is Ksh3 million while the Deputy’s is Ksh2 million,” the MP said.
"The Deputy President has been in office for almost seven months now, and he is giving two million per constituency and if you work it out, because I assume the donations are from his pocket, if he does this in the whole country, it will be Ksh580 million, so it means that by the time he leaves he has finished everything he has worked his whole life," he added.
On his part, Kindiki has recurrently defended the empowerment programmes, stressing that they are aimed at stimulating community-based development and economic growth.
Speaking during one of the rallies in Maragua in July, the DP criticised leaders who were opposed to the programmes, stressing that they were disconnected from the reality of the ordinary Kenyans, who are struggling to make ends meet.
“We are here to support chamas and groups that have called on us to walk with them in their journey towards economic independence. Those opposing this programme do not know what hunger feels like because they have been disconnected from the reality on the ground facing the ordinary Kenyan today,” Kindiki stated.
"He clarified that the empowerment funds were not handouts but were about restoring dignity and creating opportunities for the rural households to earn a livelihood by enabling those with businesses to restock and keep their businesses running,” he added.
