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Ruto allies vow to carry on with empowerment drives despite backlash
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula during the Soy Constituency Women Empowerment Program held at Ziwa in Uasin Gishu County on June 27, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Mr Wetangula said the Kenya Kwanza leaders had not violated any law in conducting the empowerment programs, which he claimed had lifted the standards of living for beneficiaries, the majority of whom have used the proceeds to expand their business enterprises.
- Governor Barchok said both the national and devolved government units were keen on uplifting the standards of living for the citizens through various development projects implemented with taxpayers' money and those from donors.
Allies of President William Ruto are adamant that the empowerment programmes they are spearheading across the country will continue, despite the stiff opposition they face.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, and Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok led Members of Parliament in stating that there would be no pause in the fundraising drives, but rather seek to accelerate them in the days ahead.
Mr Farouk Kibet, the constant figure in the empowerment events, played his traditional master of ceremonies role in a function in Sotik town, Bomet County, on Saturday, a clear pointer to the centrality of State House in the fundraising drives, with most of the MPs donating a uniform amount of Sh 100,000.
Farouk Kibet, personal assistant to the President, addresses the audience during the official launch of Shield Okumba SACCO and the Women and Youth Empowerment Forum at Midika Sports Grounds in Muhoroni on July 25, 2025. Photo:
At a separate function in Kisumu for the TukTuk Operators network, politicians raised over Sh5.5 million, including Sh3 million from President Ruto, and another Sh1 million from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
Mr Wetang’ula, who was the chief guest in both events, said in Sotik that the empowerment drives were unstoppable and those seeking to derail them through the judiciary will not succeed.
“We will continue to empower those in need, especially the youth, women and the vulnerable groups in the society, despite the din of noise that we are hearing from some political quarters in the country,” Mr Wetangula said.
Mr Wetangula said the Kenya Kwanza leaders had not violated any law in conducting the empowerment programs, which he claimed had lifted the standards of living for beneficiaries, the majority of whom have used the proceeds to expand their business enterprises.
2027 polls
They challenged those opposed to President Ruto's leadership to prepare their manifestos and face him in the ballot in the next general election instead of engaging in empty rhetoric.
"We would not slow down on empowerment of the poor, youth, women and the disabled. It is in the UDA manifesto, and we would not backtrack as we seek to uplift the standards of living for the people," Mr Cheruiyot, who is the Kericho Senator, said.
Governor Barchok said both the national and devolved government units were keen on uplifting the standards of living for the citizens through various development projects implemented with taxpayers' money and those from donors.
Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch and Joyce Korir, MPs - Francis Sigei (host), Victor Koech, Brighton Yegon, Johana Ngeno, Nelson Koech, Emmanuel Wangweh, Japeth Nyakundi, Innocent Mugabe, Richard Kilel, Beatrice Kemei, Linet Chepkorir and Maryanne Kaitany called on Kenyans to support the programs.
Senator Hillary Sigei (Bomet) said, "The bottom-up economic model is picking up and all the pre-election promises will be delivered by the broad-based government ahead of the next general election.”
Belgut MP Nelson Koech said the push for Dr Ruto to serve for one term would not bear fruits as it was allegedly being spearheaded by leaders seeking to entrench tribalism, and who were opposed to the empowerment of the poor who are the majority in the society.
"We have only changed Harambee, which was there during the Kanu regime after independence, to empowerment. Why did those opposed to it not seek to scrap it before Dr Ruto ascended to power?" Mr Koech said.
Wealth for division
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch claimed there were leaders in the country using their wealth and influence in the society to divide the people instead of uniting them.
Mr Oketch said President Ruto and Mr Odinga were keen on uniting the people regardless of their ethnic backgrounds or political affiliations.
"We do not want to put Kenya in a situation where chaos can erupt causing instability in national unity. We must bring the people together by all means" Mr Oketch said.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangweh said residents of the Western region will rally around President Ruto in the next general election as a result of the development agenda being rolled out in the region.
"Like all the Presidents before him, President Ruto will serve his second term and will be elected by the majority of voters to the surprise of those opposed to his leadership," Mr Wangweh said.
Mr Nyakundi said that those opposed to President Ruto's leadership were seeking to entrench tribalism which he claimed had been dismantled in the last three years.
The leaders said the Presidency did not belong to one region or community in the country, noting that some felt entitled to it, when it is won or lost in a national poll.
