State House has dismissed claims that youth who attended a recent empowerment event in Nairobi were denied motorcycles and other items meant to boost income.
State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed said reports that some youth never received what they were promised are false. He confirmed that 1,100 registered groups submitted proposals for empowerment projects. βAll were approved, funded, and delivered,β Mohamed said, though he did not release the names of beneficiaries. He explained that each group had 10 members and a chairperson who collected items, meaning 11,000 people were involved.
Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, also defended the programme. He said only group chairmen were allowed to collect motorcycles and other items, which is why some members may not have received them directly.
The statements follow reports from youth in Jacaranda, Embakasi, who said they never got the promised motorcycles and equipment. Some expressed fear for their safety after posting a video asking President William Ruto to explain what happened. They called the programme a sham and urged anyone holding the motorcycles and ownership papers to come forward.
Dickens Kamau Odhiambo, known as Kamau wa Kisumu, said he was photographed with a motorbike but told to leave without receiving it. βI was told they would use Truecaller to deliver it to my home. When I asked more, they turned me away,β he said. Odhiambo added that he now fears for his life after refusing to lie in a video about receiving the bike.
Collins Otwala said his group of 50 was cut down to 10. Their proposal was for media equipment, but they were sent home without anything. βEven those meant to get boda boda motorcycles didnβt receive them. Thatβs why we spoke out,β he said.
Odhiambo said the programme is a scam and warned authorities: βI am ready to die, but I will not lie. They did not give me a motorbike. If they want to kill me, let them, but I will speak the truth.β
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