A Women Representative has been left holding a large consignment of hair care equipment at her office after barbers and salonists turned down her empowerment project.
Kiambu Woman Rep Gathoni Wa Muchomba recently launched an empowerment project in Thika where barbers and those operating salons were offered equipment to improve their businesses.
The project dubbed “Mamacare” was funded through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
She went ahead to hand salon and barbers in the town equipment worth Ksh1.5 million.
However, just a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the project at Wangunyu grounds in Kiambaa, Thika Barbers and Salon Association last week rejected equipment offered by the MP, citing that Mamacare project was a scam that needed to be probed.
More than 269 members of the association accused the legislator of trying to exploit them by selling substandard items three times the market price.
“A drier normally costs Sh8,000 but we are being given at a higher purchase loan of Sh15,000. A barber shaping machine which goes for Sh2,000 is being offered to us at Sh3,500. A salon sink that normally goes for Sh300 is being charged Sh1,000. This is unacceptable since it amounts to exploitation,” association Chairman Kennedy Lumbasi mentioned.
“On behalf of the association, I hereby inform your office that we have declined to take your offer of the said equipment since they do not match the process quoted. A drier is worth Sh8,000 but the quoted price is Sh10, 500. In this regard, we decline your project,” a letter addressed to Wamuchomba read.
They urged the Government to withhold funds meant for the project until a proper audit is carried out.
The legislator, however, refuted their claims and blamed her political detractors for the move.
“The equipment has been given a 40 per cent subsidy which is way cheaper compared to the market price. We agreed with them even before we launched the project,” she remarked.
