Kenya Kwanza leaders have continued to rally support for the government, citing grassroots empowerment programmes as key drivers transforming rural economies and improving the fortunes of small-scale traders, persons living with disabilities (PWDs), women and youth across Murang’a County.
The leaders spoke during an Inua Jamii empowerment forum held in the Nyakihai area in Gaturi Ward, Kiharu Constituency, where several community groups and individuals benefited from government-backed support initiatives.
The empowerment grants, issued mainly to registered social groups, ranged between Sh100,000 and Sh500,000, with women and youth emerging as the biggest beneficiaries.
Murang’a County Woman Representative Betty Maina said the government remains focused on delivering results through development-oriented leadership, noting that empowerment at the grassroots is critical to ensuring rural economies do not stagnate.
“Whether you support the government or not, what matters to wananchi is development—water, health facilities, good roads and transformative leadership. That is our goal,” she said.
Maina noted that for many small-scale traders, modest financial support can be life-changing.
“Some traders only need as little as Sh1,000 to restock and transform their businesses. With that, they can educate their children and put food on the table,” she added.
“Our privileges and realities should not blind us from other people’s realities.”
The woman rep also urged small-scale traders like hawkers to ensure they form groups and register them so that they can collectively and easily benefit from the government’s funds.
She also called on the opposition to play its oversight role constructively, urging leaders to avoid political witch-hunts and public insults.
“If you have something to give, kindly do so peacefully. What citizens want is transformation of lives, not endless political drama,” she said.
During the forum, seven social groups received non-refundable NGAAF funds, while needy community members—especially persons living with disabilities—were supported with assistive aids.
Representatives of beneficiary groups welcomed the support, saying it would go a long way in strengthening their livelihoods.
John Mwangi, a member of the Kamwaga Mwangaza Boda Boda Group, one of the groups that benefited from the empowerment initiative, said the funds would help improve their operations and create employment for young people.
“As a boda boda group, this support will help us stabilise our work, service our motorcycles and support members who are struggling. Many youth depend on this sector to earn a living, and such empowerment gives us hope and dignity,” he said.
He noted that as a group, part of the money will go into table banking, where they will be lending to the members at a small interest.
Nominated MCA Gladys Wambui said aligning with the government of the day enables communities to attract development and resources.
“Being on the side of the government ensures our people benefit from programmes that directly improve livelihoods at the grassroots,” she said.
Gaturi Ward MCA Gathee Wa Njeri appealed to the national government to intervene in addressing persistent water shortages in the area, describing the region as arid and heavily affected by water scarcity.
“Water is our biggest challenge. This is not something the county government can handle alone. We need national government support, and it will take more than Sh400 million to fully connect this area to water,” he said.
Residents echoed the call, saying a reliable water supply would unlock farming potential and boost household incomes.
Peter Mwangi, a resident, said lack of water has limited agricultural productivity for years.
“If we had water, we would farm throughout the year. Many of us depend on rain-fed agriculture, and when the rains fail, our families suffer,like now the farms will yield nothing this season as everything is already dried up” he said.
By Florence Kinyua
