Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi Speaking at a church service at Mananja Catholic Church in Ndithini, Masinga Subcounty. Photo Andrew Mbuva 
By Andrew Mbuva
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has thrown a fresh jab at the Kenya Kwanza administration, demanding full disclosure on the source of funds being dished out under the so-called “empowerment programmes” across the country.
Speaking during a church service at Mananja Catholic Church in Ndithini, Masinga Subcounty on Sunday, Mwangangi said while leaders are free to hold Harambees and traverse the nation, the current trend of distributing millions of shillings in the name of empowerment raises serious questions about transparency and economic prudence.
“We have no problem with your Harambees. You have the freedom to go anywhere in this country and raise funds. But this so-called empowerment has become suspect. We are simply asking—where is the money coming from?” posed Mwangangi.
The Deputy Governor was quick to draw a contrast between the current initiatives and what he termed as structured empowerment programmes introduced during the era of President Mwai Kibaki, with Kalonzo Musyoka as his Vice President and Wavinya Ndeti serving as Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports.
“They put in place proper and accountable programmes like the Youth Enterprise Fund, the Women Enterprise Fund, and Uwezo Fund. These were traceable, well-planned, and legally grounded. What we are seeing today is a flood of unexplained money, and it’s hurting the economy,” he noted.
Mwangangi warned that the so-called empowerment efforts could be a veiled avenue for siphoning public resources under the guise of development.
“Please don’t use what you’re calling empowerment to destroy the economy of this country by opening doors to the stealing of public resources,” he urged.
He further defended Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s suitability for the presidency, citing his track record while serving under the Kibaki administration.
“When we say Kalonzo is fit for the presidency, we say it with confidence. We can point to what he did—tangible development, solid policy work, and proper youth support programmes,” Mwangangi added.
His remarks come amid growing political debate around the legitimacy, sustainability, and transparency of the Kenya Kwanza-led government’s empowerment drives, which have seen millions of shillings handed out to youth and women groups across various counties.
