Kenya Kwanza empowerment drive sparks anger as beneficiaries claim they were paid Ksh.64

Empowerment, once a word filled with hope, has become a political slogan, repeated at rallies and public forums across the country. 

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, government-allied politicians are traversing counties, handing out money and promising prosperity. 

But beyond the cheers and camera flashes lies a grim reality. Many who show up for these events are left disillusioned, some walking away with as little as Ksh.64.

The talk of bottom-up economics is loud on the podiums, but on the ground, it feels more like trickle-down disappointment. Many Kenyans say the so-called empowerment events promise financial uplift but end in heartbreak.

These gatherings often pull huge crowds. At one such event, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced, “The President has sent me with Ksh.3 million.” But after the fanfare, beneficiaries say the money simply vanishes.

In Nyamira, Sarah Gechebe, a widow, said, “I was given Ksh.2,000. Now tell me, with a group of 31 widows and widowers, what are we supposed to do with that? People will come to me expecting answers. What will I tell them?”

Another widow, Rosemary Kemunto, lamented, “Ruto, I voted for you. Couldn’t you have given us a cheque instead of cash? I saw the basket full of money but walked away with nothing.”

Maurice Onsongo, a person living with a disability, added, “They gave us Ksh.20,000, supposedly for transport. We were 18 of us that day. That’s not empowerment.”

The math tells its own story. When Ksh.2,000 is divided among 31 people, each gets just Ksh.64. In a group of 20, the share rises only slightly to Ksh.100 per person.

Rosemary Kemunto added, “All these women I came with are elderly. I danced at the front like I was asked. But how much did I take home? Nothing, really.”

In Machakos, a women’s group involved in seedling growing said they saw the money being delivered, only for it to disappear before reaching them.

Rosa Paul, secretary of the Masalo Young Group, said, “We received nothing. It was shocking. People living with disabilities and unemployed youth also said they didn’t see a cent.”

Benson Mulei added, “We’re now wondering how to move forward with this government. We came together, stood united, but still saw no money.”

So, while the word empowerment continues to be shouted from political podiums, for many Kenyans, it has become just that, a word.