Osotsi demands probe into source of empowerment funds distributed by Ruto’s allies
By Emmanuel Rono, June 28, 2026Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has questioned the source of funds used in economic empowerment programmes organised by government allies, calling for investigations into how the initiatives are financed.
Speaking during a public address on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Osotsi challenged the organisers of the empowerment events to disclose where the money comes from, arguing that transparency and accountability are essential whenever large sums of cash are distributed.
“Hii pesa ya empowerment inatoka wapi? Nani analeta hii pesa? Na hii pesa inatumiwa namna gani?” Osotsi posed.
The senator cited a recent empowerment event in Luanda, claiming that the cost of organising the function appeared to outweigh the benefits received by the targeted beneficiaries.
“Juzi wamekuwa pale Luanda, vijana wa boda boda 100 groups, hata ni 20 groups, wamekaa kuanzia asubuhi mpaka jioni, hawa jamaa wanakuja na chopa tatu. Hiring one chopa in a day is Ksh1 million shillings. Three chopas is Ksh 3 million shillings. Alafu wanakuja wanawacha Ksh 2.4 million hapa,” he said.
Debate on empowerment funds
His remarks come amid growing political debate over empowerment events being held across the country by leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Similar concerns about the politicisation of government-linked empowerment programmes have previously been raised in the Senate during discussions on youth funding initiatives.
Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri has also elbowed the government’s economic empowerment programmes, claiming the initiatives are politically driven and have failed to improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking on Thursday, May 21, 2026, during an interview on Emoo FM, Ngunjiri dismissed the ongoing empowerment drives as publicity stunts designed to win political loyalty rather than uplift struggling citizens.
Politicising the funds
According to the former legislator, the programmes have instead created divisions in communities and intensified political tensions across the country.
“Hii pesa inapeanwa ya empowerment ni ya kupiga watu, the aim is not empowerment. The empowerment is used politically, because everywhere it happens, it leaves conflicts. It is the politics of insults as leaders plant their aspirants,” Ngunjiri said.
He warned leaders against taking the programmes to the Bahati constituency, insisting residents were more concerned about unresolved issues affecting their lives than political handouts.
The remarks add to the growing criticism facing President William Ruto’s administration over the controversial empowerment programmes that have seen millions of shillings distributed in public gatherings across various counties.