Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.
The move by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi to stage a public Sh145 million economic empowerment programme for his constituents two weeks ago has caused discomfort within President William Ruto's political base in the Mt Kenya region.
Mr Sudi showcased 100 motorcycles, two vehicles, 400 sewing machines, 500 car wash machines, maize milling posho mills, milk cans, water tanks, sausage vending kits, deep fryers and other equipment worth Sh45 million. In addition, he released Sh100 million in trade capital.
The event stood out not only for its scale, but also the contrast it drew with similar empowerment programmes spearheaded by President Ruto's allies in Mt Kenya, many of which have been more modest.
This glaring disparity has led to mounting criticism and soul-searching among Ruto’s Mt Kenya loyalists, prompting Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua to publicly question the seriousness of the region’s leadership.
“Now tell me, are these Dr Ruto-aligned leaders in Mt Kenya serious about the value of Mt Kenya votes? They accompany Mr Sudi to his backyard, where he hands out machinery worth Sh145 million but when they come here, they give our people a kilo of beans, a kilo of rice and a teaspoonful of cooking oil,” Mr Gachagua said.
He was referring to the Mt Kenya economic empowerment initiative led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and supported by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and other Kenya Kwanza leaders.
While addressing Kapseret residents, Ichung’wah defended the initiative, saying it was part of Kenya Kwanza’s pre-election pledges.
“To those trying to divide Kenyans along tribal lines by scandalising these empowerment programmes, we declare Satan is defeated!. It is about time Kenyans decided whether to follow empty political rhetoric or development programmes,” the Kikuyu MP said.
'Cheap tokenism'
However, former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi dismissed the programme as “cheap tokenism that can never build a sustainable economy”, adding the visible difference in scale and impact between the Kapseret initiative and efforts in Mt Kenya could not be ignored.
Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
As Sudi’s programme sparked debate, a parallel event in Machakos saw Prof Kindiki preside over a fundraiser that raised Sh2.5 million, underscoring the disparity in execution and impact.
The empowerment drive targets boda boda riders, mama mbogas, carpenters, shoe shiners and small traders.
One-man guitar artist Waithaka wa Jane, in a song released on June 7, 2025, lamented that “we in the mountain are worth cheap beans, while those from the President's side are worth cars, power saws and posho mills.”
But in response, The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri, who is one of President Ruto's allies in Mt Kenya, admitted: “It is indeed true that we must be very particular about how we move forward with this empowerment drive.”
The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri.
The Laikipia East MP stressed that while President Ruto is delivering empowerment on the national economic front, the regional initiatives are driven by individual leaders pooling resources.
But Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji said: “We have to see through this fallacy and call it out. The same Mt Kenya leaders attend empowerment events in other regions where they donate millions. But when they come to our people, it’s beans and rice,” he said.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara echoed the sentiment.
“I feel dejected seeing our leaders give people bread, cakes, umbrellas and politically branded items, when President Ruto and his allies are giving real opportunities—jobs and overseas training,” she said.
