United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi has defended the government’s financial empowerment initiatives targeting women and youth, declaring them a core fulfillment of the party’s 2022 campaign promises under the Bottom-Up economic model.
Speaking during the Cherangany Constituency Economic Empowerment Forum held at Kipkeikei Grounds on Friday, July 11, 2025, Nyakundi said the programme was a deliberate, grassroots-driven effort aimed at uplifting marginalised communities, particularly women and young people, who were promised economic inclusion.
Tulipokuwa tunatafuta kura tulisema tutainua kina mama. Tuinue vijana kutoka bottom kuelekea wapi? Wale walidhani Bottom-Up ni ingine — sasa Bottom-Up ni hii,” said Nyakundi.
Nyakundi asserted that the financial support being disbursed through local forums was not political tokenism but a continuation of the government’s commitment to inclusive economic transformation.
“Our Money, Our People”
Addressing critics who have questioned the initiative, Nyakundi said the UDA government had every right to spend its resources on community empowerment and urged detractors to focus on their own development agendas.
Na sisi tumeleta pesa zetu ili tusaidie akina mama na vijana. Wale wengine wanaskia vibaya kwa sababu tumeleta pesa zetu, tunataka kuwaambia shauri yao. Pesa ni zetu. Zenu nyinyi fanyieni ile kitu mnataka. Wacha sisi tusaidie akina mama hapa.”
He questioned why helping women financially had become controversial:
Tumefanya vibaya kuleta pesa zetu hapa? Hao wenyewe wameleta pesa zao hapa? Si waachane na sisi na pesa zetu?”
Nyakundi also defended President William Ruto, arguing that the Head of State is facing unwarranted attacks because of his agenda to take development to all regions of Kenya.
Hawa watu wanapiga rais wetu vita kwa sababu ameamua ya kwamba this country’s development must go everywhere.”
Calls for Peace Amid National Tensions
In the wake of recent Gen Z-led anti-government protests across the country, Nyakundi denounced the destruction of public property and urged for peaceful engagement.
You cannot govern a country by burning a police station,” he said. “The only way you can win an election is through the ballot. Wacha wajipange 2027 tukutane kwa debe, tukanyangane na wao mapema saa kumi na mbili.”
Bottom-Up Rollout Continues
The Cherangany event is part of UDA’s nationwide grassroots mobilisation, where women’s groups, boda boda associations, and youth-led ventures are receiving financial support to boost local enterprises. According to party officials, such forums will continue across counties in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Nyakundi’s remarks come amid heated public debate over the fairness, sustainability, and political implications of government-backed financial programmes, especially at a time of heightened youth discontent and calls for systemic accountability.
