A fresh wave of opulence displayed by allies of President William Ruto is drawing public scrutiny, with Kenyans questioning the source of the money involved.

In what is being touted as a grassroots “economrUTOic empowerment” campaign, leaders aligned with the president have launched a series of high-profile cash-splashing events that have left the nation astonished and suspicious.

Earlier this month, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi grabbed headlines after orchestrating a multi-million-shilling empowerment event aimed at uplifting self-help groups in his constituency.

He distributed 100 motorcycles, two vehicles, 400 sewing machines, 500 car wash machines, posho mills, water tanks, egg and sausage vending kits, and deep fryers—reportedly costing Ksh45 million.

Sudi claimed to have raised Ksh100 million through a separate fundraiser for local development.

What stunned many, however, was his claim that the Ksh45 million came entirely from him and his friends.

“I’ve seen people talking nonsense online. Let me be clear—not a single shilling of government money was used.”

President William Ruto joined the fray over the weekend, disbursing Ksh9 million during three separate empowerment events. His deputy, Kithure Kindiki, contributed an additional Ksh4 million.

“Those criticising these empowerment drives are the same people who make lofty promises during campaigns and vanish once elected,” Kindiki said.

However, not everyone is convinced. Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi criticised the empowerment drives, particularly those targeting women, labelling them a violation of equitable resource allocation mechanisms.

Political analysts have also raised an alarm.

Dr Richard Bosire, a political science lecturer and diplomat, argues that the current trend suggests a misuse of public resources.

“Incumbent leaders are prohibited from using public resources—money, vehicles, personnel—for political gain. Unfortunately, as a growing democracy, we haven’t lived up to that standard,” he said.

He cautioned that the unregulated use of funds, often handed out without formal acknowledgement, erodes democratic fairness and undermines electoral integrity.

“Without fear of contradiction, I’d say the incumbent is already campaigning using public resources. And that creates an uneven playing field.”

Governance expert Fred Ogola dismisses Ruto’s administration as a mere public relations government.

He describes the economic forums as merely political rather than economic.

“This country looks like a failed state because PR is too much. President Ruto’s travels have no meaningful economic impact. Kenyans, we need to ask simple questions: Are we able to live a decent life in this country? Can we access affordable healthcare? Is our education system working? Do we have enough security without fear of arrest or abduction? The government should focus on service delivery and stop all this PR,” Prof Ogola said.