Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has defended Deputy
President Kithure Kindiki’s countrywide economic empowerment programmes.
Speaking on Monday, Ruku said the programmes are good for
the country as they aim to empower small-scale traders.
He went on to say that anyone opposed to the same is not
innovative and does not think outside the box.
“The empowerment programme is led by Prof. Kithure Kindiki,
the deputy President, a man who will one day be the President and he is an extremely diligent person and committed Kenyan
and for him to have come from a very small community to be the deputy
president, that tells you the spirit he carries and for someone to say the
programme's money comes from questionable sources. That person is not very
innovative and does not think outside the box,” Ruku said on K24 TV.
Asked about the source of the funds, Ruku said they are
personal funds that the DP receives from his friends.
He explained that over the years, Kindiki has had an
illustrious career as a lawyer, Professor, Senator and also a Cabinet and he
created a network of friends who have resources to support the programme.
“It is possible to bring people together. The source of the
funds is from the people. You have friends. It's not from any government
coffers.”
His remarks come a day after Kindiki also vowed to carry on
with the empowerment programmes.
He slammed those against it for not knowing what it is to
support small business.
The Deputy President also said the upcoming NYOTA Programme
aims to support small businesses.
Under the initiative, 70 businesses in every Ward will
receive Sh50,000 to grow their businesses.
“What wrong are we making as leaders when come here and give
the little money that we have as we wait for the NYOTA Programme to begin? We
will continue with this programme.
“My job is not to fight the President; that is the job of the opposition. My job is to assist him in having roads built, electricity connected, and to have water to households,” Kindiki said.
