SOTIK, Kenya – Leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration have come out strongly in defence of a series of empowerment programmes targeting vulnerable groups, dismissing critics as “enemies of progress.”
Speaking during a community event in Sotik Constituency, Bomet County, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the initiative—geared towards uplifting women, widows, persons with disabilities and small traders—was in line with constitutional and moral obligations.
“The Bible says God is a father to the fatherless and a husband to the widows,” Wetang’ula said. “Today, we have come to support widows and persons living with disabilities so they can be self-reliant and contribute to nation-building. The Constitution compels us to protect the vulnerable.”
Critics of the ongoing empowerment meetings are enemies of growth and the uplifting of the vulnerable.This evening, alongside Bomet Governor H.E. Hillary Barchok, nominated Senator and PSC Vice Chairperson Hon. Joyce Korir, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Mr. Farouk
He was accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who accused opponents of trying to derail the empowerment programmes through legal challenges.
“We will not stop these empowerment meetings. It was in the UDA manifesto to uplift the livelihoods of small traders and ordinary Kenyans. We must fulfill that pledge,” said Cheruiyot, who also serves as the Senator for Kericho.
The lawmakers argued that the meetings complement broader government programmes such as the Hustler Fund, the Women Enterprise Fund, and the Youth Fund, all aimed at economically uplifting the bottom of the pyramid.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who chairs the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, said the practice of holding fundraisers to support community projects is not new—only the format has evolved.
“This is one of the best programmes we’ve ever had; the name has simply changed from Harambees. We promised to empower communities, and we will stay the course,” he said.
Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe went a step further, urging voters to back President William Ruto in the 2027 general election and rally behind Speaker Wetang’ula in 2032.
The leaders highlighted government achievements including subsidies to farmers, improved market access, and reforms aimed at stabilizing food prices.
“We are here today to help you raise funds so you can start projects and benefit from government initiatives like new markets,” said Emurua Dikir MP Johanna Ng’eno. “Use the money to reinvest and grow.”
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch described the current Kenya Kwanza coalition as a “broad-based” government that has helped reduce political tensions and accelerate development by bridging ethnic and ideological divides.
Taveta MP John Bwire and other speakers took aim at the opposition, accusing some figures of engaging in divisive politics instead of offering viable alternatives.
“Some of our counterparts are tribalists and hate-mongers. President Ruto has united the country, and now development is spread everywhere. This is the kind of leadership we need,” Bwire said.
Speaker Wetang’ula reinforced that message, calling for national unity and issue-based politics.
“We do not want politics driven by ethnicity, hate or division. The opposition has shown they have no agenda beyond insults,” he said.
The leaders vowed to continue holding similar meetings across the country, with a focus on promoting peace, economic empowerment and grassroots transformation.
