State House Breaks Silence as Youth Expose Ruto’s ‘Fake’ Empowerment

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed has broken his silence following allegations by a section of youth who claimed they were shortchanged during an empowerment event led by President William Ruto.

The program, held at the State House on Saturday, August 9, aimed to support youth groups by providing motorbikes and equipment for various income-generating projects.

In an interview with Citizen TV, a section of the youth from Embakasi alleged that despite being selected and attending the event, they never received the promised items.

Dickens Odhiambo claimed he was only photographed with a motorbike and later turned away at the gate by security. He further claims that he is now receiving threatening calls and being pressured to retract his story.

Another youth, Collins Otwala, also said his group, which had proposed a media project, went home empty-handed. The two described the event as a “scam” and questioned the credibility of the process. 

State House responds

In response, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed dismissed the claims and accused Citizen TV, which aired the youth’s concerns, of biased reporting.

“A total of 1,100 registered groups from Nairobi submitted proposals for their empowerment programmes or projects — all approved, all funded, all received. Each group had 10 members with a chairperson who delivered the projects for an orderly process. That’s 11,000 people in total. Yet Citizen TV interviews just 2 individuals… and uses them as ‘authorities’ to claim ‘unfulfilled promises’… Unbelievable!” Hussein stated.

He criticized the media house for failing to fact-check with the State House before airing the allegations and suggested the public had now seen how narratives can be twisted.

Also Read: How Kenyan Youth Can Check and Apply for Nationwide Opportunities Via New Govt Portal

Echoing this, Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, clarified that items were not handed out to individuals, but to group representatives only.

“No items were issued to individuals. The empowerment targeted 1,150 groups, each consisting of 10 people. Only the group chairmen were allowed to collect the items. That was the official process,” Itumbi said.

Nairobi Senator Karen Nyamu, who had facilitated some of the groups, had also dismissed the allegations, saying the complainants do not represent the experience of thousands who benefited.

“Huyo kijana anadanganya… one or two people si watu wa kuskizwa in an event attended by more than 10,000 people,” she said. This translates to, “He is lying. You cannot listen to one or two people in an event attended by more than 10,000 people.”

Meanwhile, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi had earlier acknowledged that there were some delays in item delivery, attributing them to the formalisation process for ownership documentation.

Nairobi County Empowerment Programme

Despite the denials and official clarifications, the youth involved insist that the process lacked transparency and fairness — raising concerns about accountability in high-profile government programmes.

Also Read: Ruto Dishes Millions to Youth During Empowerment Drive

President Ruto, during the empowerment programme last week, said that the event, which targeted more than 1,100 business groups in Nairobi, “confirms our dedication to uplifting those who have been living at the margins of our society for far too long.”

He added, “But we are not stopping there. Hundreds of thousands of small enterprises across the country are being supported with tools, equipment, and funds to drive their businesses because every hustle matters.”

“Beginning next month, 70 young people in each of our 1,450 wards will receive Ksh50,000 each to start and boost their business in a joint programme between the Government and the World Bank. That is how we are building a more transformed, more inclusive and more equal Kenya.”

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.