Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has launched a stinging attack on government-led women empowerment programmes, branding them political schemes disguised as development.
Speaking at a public event in Machakos on Wednesday, Mwangangi accused national leaders of hiding behind empowerment drives to win political favour. He called them a “misuse of public funds” and likened the trend to the infamous Youth for KANU ’92 (YK’92) movement, which was blamed for fuelling inflation and economic disruption in the early 1990s.
“These empowerment campaigns are not genuine. They are aimed at brainwashing the public,” Mwangangi said. “If we are not careful, we will see a repeat of what happened during the YK’92 period. That kind of financial recklessness nearly brought the country to its knees.”
He urged President William Ruto to step in and put a stop to the initiatives, saying public funds must be allocated transparently and with proper oversight.
Mwangangi’s remarks come amid a nationwide push by the government and civil society groups to boost women’s participation in entrepreneurship, leadership, and politics. Critics argue that some of these programmes lack accountability and are used as tools for patronage, especially in election years.
But supporters of the initiatives say they are necessary to close Kenya’s gender gap in key sectors. “Empowering women is not political it’s essential,” said Beatrice Nyongesa, a gender rights advocate in Nairobi. “We need less rhetoric and more commitment to equality.”
Still, Mwangangi did not hold back. He extended his criticism to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, accusing the latter of trying to lure Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka into the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“With all due respect, let me advise the senior professor of law to keep his hands off Kalonzo, because the game he’s playing is futile,” Mwangangi said, referring to Kindiki’s recent outreach efforts.
He went further: “If Kindiki is that desperate to work with Kalonzo, he should consider defecting and joining the Wiper party. But make no mistake no one in our camp is boarding a sinking ship.”
The Deputy Governor’s comments echo growing tension in the political scene, as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.
Requests for comment from Interior CS Kindiki’s office went unanswered by the time of publication.
While Mwangangi’s words have sparked fresh debate, they also risk deepening political fault lines in a country still recovering from the divisive 2022 election.
