President William Ruto's allies led by his aide Farouk Kibet at Nyamache High School in Kisii for a fundraiser for women and youth groups on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Top government officials have pledged to continue rolling out women and youth empowerment programmes across the country, dismissing criticism from leaders opposed to such initiatives.
Speaking during a series of
empowerment drives held in Kisii and Kisumu counties on Friday, Farouk Kibet, an
aide to President William Ruto, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to
uplifting youth and women economically through grassroots initiatives.
“Empowerment is good because if you
use it well, you will change your life,” said Farouk, addressing a crowd at at
Nyamache High School, Kisii.
“What we don’t want is leaders who
are inciting the masses against empowerment yet they are not providing
alternatives.”
Farouk warned against politicising
poverty reduction strategies and stressed the importance of unity over tribal
divisions.
“Empowerment is what will change the
lives of Kenyans. Tribalism will not empower Kenyans. We should unite as
Kenyans so that we can take the country forward. There is no way we can build
Kenya without empowering women and youth,” he added.
The event was part of a broader
government empowerment campaign led by Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Donya
Aburii.
Her counterpart Ruth Odinga
organized the Kisii one.
A host of senior government leaders
including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo
Wandayi, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ul graced the fundraisers.
Farouk called on local leaders to
oversee the transparent distribution of contributions raised during such
drives, saying beneficiaries must receive their fair share.
“We want these programmes to deliver real change,
and that means being accountable at every level,” he said.
Speaker of the National Assembly
Moses Wetang’ula used the platform in Muhoroni to take a swipe at former
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over recent remarks advising Kenyans in the
diaspora to stop remitting money back home.
“I have seen someone going around
telling Kenyans not to send money to Kenyans,” said Wetang’ula. “I want to
remind him that no one is sending money to government. They are sending money
to their parents to either invest or build a house.”
He described the comments as
“clueless and economically reckless,” saying they undermined the contribution
of diaspora remittances to Kenya’s economy.
“This gentleman seems not to
understand matters concerning the economy. We want to tell him to return home
and continue laying political traps for your political opponents,” Wetang’ula
said.
His comments were echoed by Homa Bay
Governor Gladys Wanga, who accused Gachagua of peddling tribal narratives while
abroad.
“Gachagua goes to the US, and
instead of preaching the unity of our country, he spreads tribalism,” said
Wanga. “He tells people in the US they belong to ethnic extractions instead of
rallying Kenyans to unite for a common goal.”
“We will not follow anyone who is
obsessed with tribalism instead of the unity of all Kenyans,” she added.
Wetang’ula praised the peaceful
nature of recent protests in Kisumu County, calling the region a model for
non-violent civic expression.
“Since the demonstrations that we
witnessed this year on two or three occasions, Kisumu County has been the most
peaceful city in Kenya,” he said.
“I have told my MPs that going
forward, we must differentiate between protests and violence; between
demonstrations, picketing and rioting. You, the people of Kisumu City, have
shown the way—you can voice your concerns without destroying property.”
The Speaker also acknowledged that
while some regions have historically received more development, the current
administration is now prioritizing inclusive growth.
“With the broad-based government, we
are witnessing huge projects being implemented in this part of the country,” he
said. “All Kenyans deserve development, regardless of their political or
economic status.”
The delegation is expected to
continue the empowerment drive in Migori and Bungoma counties tomorrow,
targeting thousands of women and youths with funding, equipment, and training
programmes aimed at enhancing self-reliance and job creation.
Organisers say the initiative seeks to equip communities with practical tools to improve livelihoods while fostering national unity through economic inclusion.
