Nairobi empowerment queries: State House dismisses claims youth groups were conned

State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed has dismissed claims that a section of youth who went for one of the so-called empowerment events at State House did not receive what they had been promised, in the form of motorcycles and other equipment meant to boost income generation.

In response to Citizen TV reports highlighting cases of youth who claimed they never received motorbikes and other equipment despite being photographed receiving them, the State House Spokesperson said the allegations are false.

He insisted that 1,100 registered groups from Nairobi submitted proposals for empowerment projects — all approved, funded, and delivered — though he did not publish the names of the groups or beneficiaries.

“Each group had 10 members with a chairperson who delivered the projects for an orderly process. That’s 11,000 people in total,” Mohamed said in a statement posted on X.

Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, also denied the claims, insisting that the motorcycles were issued to groups and not individuals.

“Only the group chairmen were allowed to collect the items. That was the official process,” Itumbi also posted on X.

The responses come after a group of youth from Jacaranda in Embakasi who attended last Saturday’s State House empowerment event told Citizen TV that they never received the promised motorbikes and other items.

They said they now fear for their lives after posting a video urging President William Ruto to explain what happened.

The youth called the programme a sham and demanded anyone with the motorbikes and ownership papers to come forward.

Dickens Kamau Odhiambo, known as Kamau wa Kisumu, said his life is in danger after a viral video in which he told Bunge la Mwananchi in Jacaranda, Kayole, that he was deceived and never got the motorbike promised to him during a State House empowerment event led by the President.

"Seneta Karen Nyamu ndiye alituweka kwenye orodha… Tulifika huko saa 10 alfajiri, tukapewa mchele na minced meat," he told Citizen TV.

Odhiambo said he was photographed with a motorbike, then: “Nikaambiwa nitoke nje ya Gate D. Hapo nikakutana na walinzi wa GSU wakaniambia nimeshatoa taarifa zangu, niende nyumbani."

When he asked how the motorcycle would reach him, matters took a turn.

"Nikawauliza watajuaje nyumbani kwangu? Wakasema watatumia Truecaller. Nilipouliza zaidi, wakanifukuza," Odhiambo said, claiming that his life is now in danger.

"Wananipigia hata kwa private number, wananambia mambo ni mawili—nirekodi video niseme nilipata pikipiki, au niseme sikuenda Ikulu. Nimekataa."

Collins Otwala said his group was also turned away empty-handed: "Sisi tulikuwa 50, tukateuliwa 10. Proposal yetu ilikuwa kupata vifaa vya media, lakini tukaambiwa twende nyumbani. Hata wale wa boda hawakupata. Ndiyo tukasema hatutanyamaza."

The youth said the programme is a scam, with Odhiambo adding: "Mimi niko tayari waniuue, lakini sitakubali kudanganya. Hawakunipea pikipiki. Na kama wanataka kuniua, waniue."