Jimi Wanjigi: State House youth program stage-managed to mislead Kenyans
By Joel Masibo, August 18, 2025Nairobi businessman and politician Jimi Wanjigi has criticised the recently launched youth empowerment program at Nairobi’s State House by President William Ruto, terming it a publicity stunt lacking any genuine economic value.
Speaking on a local radio show on the controversies surrounding the initiative on Monday, August 18, 2025, Wanjigi accused organisers of using the program as a stage-managed spectacle designed to mislead Kenyans into believing that meaningful support is being extended to young people.
“What I’m also hearing about these empowerment groupings is that money is brought by one person, he donates to the people sitting there, and they are going to contribute. Like an MP would be given Ksh200,000 and told Ksh100,000 is for you, Ksh100,000 you put in the kitty,” Wanjigi explained.
According to the Safina Party leader, the supposed contributions and distributions are nothing more than a recycled gimmick. He alleged that the same individuals who transport attendees to the events also reclaim the funds by the end of the day.
“The people who came with the money are the same people who came with the same transport, so they collect the same money and by evening if you have had a head count as you were saying Ksh7M, that is what is counted, but the same Ksh7M is collected back into a chopper or a car with the people who say they are securing it and go to the next venue,” Wanjigi said.
The business mogul further likened the program to a theatrical performance, staged purely for optics.
“We are talking about props, showbiz. It’s just showbiz, and please don’t buy into this rubbish. You are giving it too much attention. This man is a total waste of time, it’s showbiz,” Wanjigi added in a sharp dismissal against President William Ruto.
His sentiments come after President William Ruto, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, issued Nairobi residents with varied items for self-employment during the Nairobi Empowerment Forum held at State House. However, the particular program has faced mounting criticism, with sections of the public and opposition questioning its structure, transparency, and long-term impact on the youth.
Despite the confusion, government officials have defended the initiative as a step towards uplifting young people through financial and entrepreneurial support.