The Kenya Kwanza brigade, led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, has pushed back against mounting criticism from the opposition, spearheaded by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, over the origins of funds in the nationwide empowerment programmes.

Government leaders, many seen as close allies of President William Ruto, have been distributing millions of shillings in various regions, raising questions about the source of these funds.

On Saturday, President Ruto disbursed a total of Ksh.9 million across three separate empowerment events, while DP Kindiki contributed Ksh.4 million.

Significant sums, amounting to millions of shillings, have been handed out at these events, prompting the opposition to demand transparency regarding the origin of the money.

However, top government officials have defended the programmes, insisting their sole focus is on development, dismissing the criticism as politically motivated.

"Eti kuna watu hawataki hii maendeleo tunawaletea, sasa wanaongea vibaya na madharau. Sisi hii maendeleo tutaendelea nayo wapende wasipende," Kindiki said.

"Wale wapinzani ambao hawana maana wanasema wamama waendelee kuteseka. Nyinyi mnawaambia shetani ashindwe ama namna gani?" President Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet added.

As the opposition urges Kenyans not to be swayed by the cash being distributed by government officials, Kenya Kwanza leaders have countered by questioning the source of Gachagua’s own funds and his lack of similar empowerment drives.

"Kazi yao ni kututusi eti tumekuja kufanya maendeleo ya kina mama. Sisi hatutasita. Nyinyi mlipora pesa kwa maofisi. Kwanza yule suti kombo, yule alifukuzwa kwa ofisi kwa kukosa kufanya kazi, leo kazi yake ni matusi." said National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

Kindiki added, "Usidharau reli kwa sababu ya wembamba, gari la moshi itapita sawa sawa. Uongozi sio kelele, ni kutenda."

"Tunashikanisha Wakenya pamoja na pia tunahakikisha wanapata kitu ya kujiendeleza kimaisha," Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa noted.

As government critics continue to push the one-term narrative, DP Kindiki has dismissed these claims, asserting that the administration’s track record will ultimately speak for itself.

"Msitutishe kwa kusema tutahudumu mihula mingapi. Kilicho muhimu ni kile tutakachowafanyia Wakenya ndani ya muda tuliopo madarakani," said Kindiki.

In total, President Ruto contributed Ksh.9 million at empowerment events in Kimilili, Masinga, and Kangundo constituencies, while DP Kindiki donated Ksh.4 million in Masinga and Kangundo. Politicians collectively contributed Ksh.6.2 million in the Kimilili constituency alone.