Deputy President Kithure Kindiki stormed Ukambani on Thursday, June 5, 2025, for a fundraiser in MP Nimrod Mbai’s Kitui East Constituency.
The harambee comes just days ahead of President William Ruto’s anticipated tour of the region, amid Kindiki’s heightened empowerment programmes across the country.
Over the past month, Kindiki has traversed the country, holding high-profile harambees alongside key Kenya Kwanza lieutenants, despite ongoing concerns about the source of the funds.
In Kitui, he was accompanied by UDA heavyweights and President Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, signalling his determination to push ahead with the empowerment drives.
The Deputy President is also scheduled to visit Makueni County for a similar programme.
According to his official itinerary, Kindiki will make stops in Zombe, located in Kitui East Constituency, and Mukuyuni, in Kaiti Constituency of Makueni County.
The tour aims to engage local communities in economic development initiatives and the government’s broader empowerment agenda.
Kindiki’s visit to Ukambani comes a day after he presided over the 2025 National Macadamia Conference at Embu University Grounds in Embu County.
During the conference, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to boosting local value addition in the macadamia sector by curbing the export of raw nuts.
“The government is implementing a strict policy to discourage the export of raw macadamia. This sector has the potential to earn Kenya over Sh10 billion annually and create up to 30,000 jobs,” said Kindiki.
On Wednesday, Kindiki faced a hostile crowd in Othaya, Nyeri County, where chants of “one term” rang out from a group gathered outside the perimeter fence of an empowerment event.
Security officers repulsed the group as the event proceeded, and more police were deployed to maintain order.
During his speech, seemingly aimed at his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua—Kindiki accused unnamed leaders of misleading the region.
“This habit of leaders coming to intimidate other leaders must stop! We must respect each other… respect is not slavery,” Kindiki said.
“You can’t come here acting like you’re the only leader who knows everything… claiming you’re the only one who should be listened to… who do you think you are, God?”
Last month, Kindiki defended the harambees, saying the economic empowerment engagements for mama mbogas and boda boda riders would not be halted anytime soon.
“We are not about to stop the Empowerment Engagement Programme,” he said, adding that critics of the initiative were only interested in deceiving Kenyans during elections.
“Those criticising the empowerment programme are used to hoodwinking voters during campaigns but disappear once they are elected.”
