Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has joined religious leaders and members of the political divide in condemning the government’s economic empowerment projects.

Speaking on Saturday, May 17, 2025, Gachagua strongly criticized the state’s move to disburse funds to economic empowerment in sub-counties and churches noting that it was unwise to do so when schools were struggling to function due to delayed capitation. 

The ex-DP pointed out that the funds used for empowerment should be channeled to more important projects such as healthcare, education and agriculture for national progress.

He referenced former President Mwai Kibaki’s governance stating that President William Ruto should emulate him by prioritizing education. 

“Tunaona pesa ya serial inasanywa, ma MPs wanapewa, magavana wanapewa, wanapatia yule mtu anaitwa yes sir awaletee nyinyi, watu wa church; si hii pesa yote ya serikali tueke pamoja tusomeshe watoto wote vile Kibaki alifanya. Hakuna haja kuchukua pesa ya serial tukose kusomesha watoto; mashule ziko na shida, wameshindwa kulipa suppliers kwa sababu pesa ya serikali inachukuliwa kupitia kwa NIS wanapatia rais anapatia wabunge kuja kupatia watu,” he said.  

His comments followed after Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit chastised the state over the program saying the move is a clear stunt aimed at shaping a political narrative. 

Sapit faulted the government over the failures witnessed in the education, agriculture and health sectors noting that the Ruto-led administration had misplaced priorities. 

He wondered why the state would deliberately disburse millions into roadside donations and token projects when schools were struggling to function due to delayed capitation.

“Handouts will never change anybody’s life. They will get it and finish it in the evening with the liquors and other bad habits. When you teach people how to work and ensure that we have markets for our crops.

“I think what the government needs is to put all the money being spent in these barazas and even in these many campaigns — be it from the opposition or the government, into our schools. Our principals are crying because the capitation is not enough. They cannot keep our students as long as we wish them to be in school,“ Sapit said. 

Adding;

“We want the funding model of the universities to work. We want the healthcare system to work. But we also want the agriculture sector to work — that the government should put infrastructure in place so that every farmer will have the opportunity to take their produce to market in time because there are good roads,” he added.