Itumbi addresses claims of duping hundreds who thronged State House empowerment
By Mustafa Juma, August 15, 2025Head of Presidential Special Projects & Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi has dismissed claims by Kenyan youth Dickens Kamau Odhiambo, popularly known as Kamau wa Kisumu, that he never received a promised motorbike during a recent State House empowerment programme.
Taking to his official X account on Friday, August 15, 2025, Itumbi clarified that the State House empowerment initiative targeted 1,150 groups, each made up of 10 members.
According to Itumbi, only group chairpersons were permitted to collect items on behalf of their members, in line with official procedure.
“No items were issued to individuals. The empowerment targeted 1,150 groups, each consisting of 10 people. Only the group chairmen were allowed to collect the items. That was the official process,” he stated.
He further criticised the spread of misinformation, quipping that “even lying, to paraphrase President Kibaki, requires some design.”
Itumbi hinted that a second phase of the empowerment programme — dubbed Nairobi Empowerment Season Two — would follow soon, reiterating that the process was transparent and well-structured.
“EVEN lying, to paraphrase President Kibaki, requires some DESIGN! Ukora na Uwongo – Nairobi Empowerment SEASON TWO, will FOLLOW!” he stated.
Kamau wa Kisumu has claimed that his life is at risk after revealing that he never received the motorbike promised to him during a recent State House empowerment programme.
Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Friday, August 15, 2025, Kamau stressed that he had been receiving threatening calls over the missing motorbike.
“They have been calling me from private numbers, telling me to either record a video saying I received the motorbike or claim I never went to State House. I refused,” Kamau said.
He recounted that he and other youth were photographed with motorbikes at the venue but later told to leave:
“Nikaambiwa nitoke nje ya Gate D. Hapo nikakutana na walinzi wa GSU wakaniambia nimeshatoa taarifa zangu, niende nyumbani,” he said.
When he enquired about delivery, he said, “Nikawauliza watajuaje nyumbani kwangu? Wakasema watatumia Truecaller. Nilipouliza zaidi, wakanifukuza.”