NAIVASHA – Naivasha Member of Parliament Jane Kihara has launched a scathing attack on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, questioning the legality and intention behind millions of shillings being distributed under the government’s economic empowerment programme.
Kihara, who skipped a recent event where over Sh10 million was handed out to various groups in Naivasha, claimed the funds were likely drawn from misappropriated public resources. She accused the Deputy President of using state funds to conduct what she termed as political appeasement tours, rather than addressing the real economic challenges facing ordinary Kenyans.
“This is not empowerment. It’s a strategy to pacify the public using public funds while critical sectors are starved of resources,” Kihara told The Daily Whistle during a function at Highway Secondary School in Naivasha.
The lawmaker further claimed the initiative was being selectively implemented in Central Kenya constituencies—particularly targeting areas where MPs had faced political backlash for supporting the attempted impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Kihara warned that the government’s prioritization of public handouts over structured development was deepening poverty and weakening institutions. “The government is campaigning while Kenyans are struggling to survive,” she said.
During the school event, the MP raised alarm over emerging reports that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) lacks funding to administer national exams, terming it a looming crisis in the education sector.
“This administration has failed to secure even the most basic services. Education, once a symbol of hope for many, is now in jeopardy,” she said.
Kihara also took issue with the government’s silence over cases of missing youth allegedly abducted during recent crackdowns. She accused the President of misleading the public when he claimed all abducted individuals had returned home.
“Families are still in anguish months later. The government must be honest with the people,” she said.
The MP defended the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), describing it as a lifeline for thousands of learners and a critical tool for school infrastructure development.
Her remarks were echoed by parents and local leaders. Ruth Ndungu, a parent, told The Daily Whistle that the fund had made education accessible for many low-income families. “Without NG-CDF bursaries, many of our children wouldn’t be in school,” she said.
Reuben Kinuthia, a local education advocate, estimated that nearly half the students at Highway Secondary School relied on NG-CDF support. “If this fund were to be scrapped, dropout rates would skyrocket,” he warned.
Kihara’s bold stance adds to a growing chorus of voices demanding transparency, accountability, and equitable development from the Kenya Kwanza administration
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