MPs clash over heightened Harambees across the country

A section of politicians clashed on Monday, May 26, 2025, over the heightened number of harambees across the country, with some alleging that the fundraisers could breed corruption.

The MPs differed on the approach to community empowerment initiatives, even as the country witnesses a wave of back-to-back harambees involving hefty public donations.

Appearing on Citizen TV, the lawmakers expressed divergent views.

Those critical of the government opposed the initiatives, while MPs allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration defended the harambees.

Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei claimed that no one should question Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s source of public donations.

“You cannot ask the Deputy President where the money is coming from,” Sigei said during the TV interview.

The senator defended Kindiki’s involvement in the harambees, saying they are aimed at empowering low-income earners and small businesses across the country.

“I haven’t said DP Kindiki is paying school fees—he is empowering low-class business entrepreneurs to earn a living,” Sigei said when challenged about the purpose of the large donations.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, however, alleged that the so-called empowerment programmes are merely a political strategy to shore up support for the government.

“This is not an empowerment programme—this is politics. If it were truly about empowerment, this money should have been passed in Parliament, and a structured implementation plan should have been established,” Wamuchomba said.

Kathiani MP and National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader Robert Mbui warned that the increased number of harambees could further entrench corruption in the public sector.

“The culture of harambees has come back. Harambees breed corruption, because if you have to keep giving money, then you must question where the money is coming from,” Mbui said.

Kindiki has been leading a section of politicians and senior government officials in high-profile harambees across the country.

During these events, officials and politicians have donated millions to various groups.

Kindiki maintains that the donations are part of the government’s campaign to empower small businesses.

Kindiki has insisted that the social empowerment initiatives are designed to help small businesses and “hustlers” access capital.

Under the Sh28 billion Nyota Programme, the government plans to provide Ksh 50,000 in working capital to 70 youth-owned micro and small enterprises in each of the country’s 1,450 wards, aiming to stimulate business expansion and create jobs.

“The government is supporting micro and small enterprises—kinyozi, salons, mama mboga vendors, and other small traders—by encouraging aggregation into SACCOs and bolstering their growth,” Kindiki said in South Mugirango on Thursday, May 22, 2025.