Maraga blasts government’s empowerment drives as political gimmick
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has slammed the government’s ongoing empowerment programmes, calling them a political tactic meant to distract Kenyans from the country’s worsening economic challenges.
Speaking during a town hall meeting in Kirinyaga County on Friday, Maraga questioned the purpose and sustainability of giving citizens small cash handouts, asking Kenyans to reflect on the true source of the money being distributed.
“Hii mambo ati mnaambiwa eti empowerment. Empowerment ni ya nini? Mnataka kupeanwa ati mnaletewa Sh1,000? Hiyo unapewa itakuchukua siku ngapi? Kwanza jiulize hivi, imetoka wapi? (This so-called empowerment money you're being told about—what is it really for? Do you want to be handed Sh1,000? If you receive that, how long will it last you? First, ask yourself this: where is that money coming from?)” he said.
Maraga accused the current administration of using public funds to stage empowerment drives that do little to address the real issues facing the country.
“Hiyo ni mali yenu mumeibiwa, sasa mnaanza kuambiwa eti mnapewa empowerment. Wale ambao wameiba wanawaletea ndio waonekane ndio wako na masilahi yenu. Hakuna kitu kama hiyo,” he said.
The former CJ, who has declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 General Election, pledged to safeguard public wealth if elected.
“If you allow me to be your leader, I will take care of your wealth. I will make sure those I will work with in government—the ministers, Principal Secretaries and others—will account for every coin they receive in their respective departments,” he said.
Maraga outlined a governance plan that includes the formation of an economic team to audit all budget proposals before funds are released, as well as mandatory year-end expenditure reviews to ensure accountability.
He sharply criticised the current government for misusing public funds, pointing to inflated allocations to the State House and the disbursement of funds to non-existent schools.
According to Maraga, this mismanagement has led to stalled development projects, youth unemployment, and a declining economy.
“A large sum of money is being allocated to less priority institutions,” he said, adding that a more responsible use of resources would improve critical sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure.
Speaking during a town hall meeting in Kirinyaga County on Friday, Maraga questioned the purpose and sustainability of giving citizens small cash handouts, asking Kenyans to reflect on the true source of the money being distributed.
“Hii mambo ati mnaambiwa eti empowerment. Empowerment ni ya nini? Mnataka kupeanwa ati mnaletewa Sh1,000? Hiyo unapewa itakuchukua siku ngapi? Kwanza jiulize hivi, imetoka wapi? (This so-called empowerment money you're being told about—what is it really for? Do you want to be handed Sh1,000? If you receive that, how long will it last you? First, ask yourself this: where is that money coming from?)” he said.
Maraga accused the current administration of using public funds to stage empowerment drives that do little to address the real issues facing the country.
“Hiyo ni mali yenu mumeibiwa, sasa mnaanza kuambiwa eti mnapewa empowerment. Wale ambao wameiba wanawaletea ndio waonekane ndio wako na masilahi yenu. Hakuna kitu kama hiyo,” he said.
The former CJ, who has declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 General Election, pledged to safeguard public wealth if elected.
“If you allow me to be your leader, I will take care of your wealth. I will make sure those I will work with in government—the ministers, Principal Secretaries and others—will account for every coin they receive in their respective departments,” he said.
Maraga outlined a governance plan that includes the formation of an economic team to audit all budget proposals before funds are released, as well as mandatory year-end expenditure reviews to ensure accountability.
He sharply criticised the current government for misusing public funds, pointing to inflated allocations to the State House and the disbursement of funds to non-existent schools.
According to Maraga, this mismanagement has led to stalled development projects, youth unemployment, and a declining economy.
“A large sum of money is being allocated to less priority institutions,” he said, adding that a more responsible use of resources would improve critical sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure.
David Maraga
public funds
economic challenges.
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