Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has criticized opponents of Kenya Kwanza’s ongoing empowerment initiatives, accusing them of political sabotage and lacking concern for ordinary Kenyans struggling to make a living. Speaking Friday in Baringo County, Senator Cheruiyot dismissed calls to end the government-backed cash drives. Cheruiyot argued the program has provided critical support to small-scale business owners and has not hindered development projects funded by the state.
“They have gone to court to stop the empowerment program,” senator Cheruiyot said. “I want to ask the courts to also listen to wananchi. Do they want the program stopped or not? I’ve seen people complaining that the Deputy President is moving across the country giving out money. But everyone has a right to share their wealth. Why don’t they give out theirs?”
The senator pointed to the impact of the initiative on women and young people running micro-businesses such as roadside vendors and boda boda operators. Cheruiyot said the empowerment model helps bridge access to affordable capital without waiting for large-scale state interventions.
“It’s not that these critics don’t have money,” Aaron Cheruiyot said. “They’re just jealous. They don’t want to see others being lifted.” His comments appeared to respond directly to criticism from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who recently questioned the legality and economic sense of the ongoing cash disbursements.
On July 23, Senator Khalwale said the widespread empowerment rallies often led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other senior officials deviated from the original economic blueprint crafted by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) founders. “We held regional caucuses that informed the Kenya Kwanza manifesto,” Senator Khalwale said. “Nowhere in that plan did we include Harambees or cash handouts as part of economic transformation.”
Senator Khalwale argued the current format was not only unsustainable but also lacked proper structure and transparency.
The Kenya Kwanza administration has defended the drives as part of its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. At recent events, millions of shillings have been handed to organized groups in public forums, targeting youth, women, and informal sector workers.
Opponents, however, have raised concerns about the source of the funds, oversight mechanisms, and whether these initiatives serve genuine development goals or campaign-style optics.
Despite the growing criticism, Senator Cheruiyot maintained that the cash-based programs are making a real difference. “No government project has stopped because of this,” Cheruiyot said. “Empowering Kenyans to sustain their businesses is not a threat it’s progress.”
About the Author
