Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has today led two economic empowerment events which have cumulatively raised Ksh.20 million, with the President and the DP contributing half the amount.
The programme, which has become the talk of the town, has, however, received criticism, with some questioning the source of the money and its accountability. The DP has promised to take the contributions a notch higher.
Note this, the team contributes nearly Ksh.100 million a week.
He is becoming Kenya’s Mr. Money Bags.
Splashing at least Ksh.5 million every time he steps out for an economic empowerment programme.
And on Thursday, it was the opportunity for residents of Mwala constituency, Machakos County, to get down to the empowerment song and dance.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki rallying a Ksh.10 million funds drive Friday in the constituency.
“Nimeleta mchango wangu wa shilingi milioni 2 na milioni 3 ya Rais,” Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President stated.
And after kicking up a storm in Machakos County, Kindiki’s entourage was airborne again, touching down in Nyamira County.
With bags full of cash, in West Mugirango constituency.
“Nimeleta mchango wangu wa shilingi milioni 2 na milioni 3 ya Rais,” Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President noted.
The DP using the events to woo support for the government, promising improved delivery in coming days.
“Hii kazi ntaipeleka faster faster, nitaipeleka mbio mbio kama gari ya miraa.”
For several months, the empowerment windfall has poured on Kenyans in villages and towns, with special focus on the Mt. Kenya region. The exercise has raised close to Ksh.100 million per week.
Citizen TV has established that the rate card is predictable and directly proportional to the office held.
The President leads by a Ksh.3 million contribution in almost every event. His deputy delivers the money and almost always donates Ksh.2 million.
The Speaker and the Majority Leaders of the bicameral houses donate at least Ksh.1 million per day. Members of Parliament donate at least Ksh.100,000 and MCAs fork out at least Ksh.20,000.
This is against their monthly salary as outlined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC): The President earns a salary of Ksh.1.4 million, the Deputy President- Ksh.1.2 million, Cabinet Secretaries – Ksh.957,000, MPs – Ksh.784,000 and MCAs – Ksh.154,000
This colossal amount of money given is raising concerns about the source and accountability, with the opposition claiming it is a conduit for corruption.
“Ule Mr. Yes analeta pesa ya kuhonga nyinyi. Hiyo pesa mkule, hatuwezi zika ndovu na pembe,” Rigathi Gachagua, Former Deputy President stated.
“Mimi nimekuja kuwahonga kweli? Hii ni pesa ya kusaidia wananchi,” Kindiki retorted.
The government has promised to continue with the empowerment projects, which seem to have replaced public harambees, banned by the President a year ago. The DP has had 10 empowerment projects in the past 7 days.
