Kenya, July 23 -- A women's group in Embu has ignited a firestorm of controversy after receiving a Kithure Kindiki dance payment of Ksh 2,000 to share among 31 members, equating to Ksh 64 per woman, following their performance for Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during an economic empowerment event.
The meagre payout, criticised as exploitative, has drawn sharp backlash on social media, slamming the government for "state-sponsored humiliation" and tokenism.
The incident, part of Kindiki's controversial empowerment programs, has intensified scrutiny of the Kenya Kwanza administration's financial practices amid rising economic hardship.
The event in Embu, part of Kindiki's nationwide economic empowerment tours, saw the women's group perform traditional dances to welcome the Deputy President, expecting meaningful financial support.
Instead, the Ksh 2,000 group payment, dividing to roughly Ksh 64 per dancer, has been labelled a "slap in the face" by critics who called it "exploitation wrapped in PR."
The backlash aligns with broader accusations against Kindiki, who has donated over Ksh 100 million across regions like Mt. Kenya, Kisii, and Kakamega, prompting questions about the source of these funds.
Naivasha MP Jane Kihara, a Rigathi Gachagua ally, accused Kindiki of using "embezzled funds" to woo voters, a claim he dismissed as politically motivated.
Kindiki, sworn in as Deputy President on November 1, 2024, after Gachagua's impeachment, has defended his empowerment initiatives as genuine efforts to support small businesses and women's groups.
At a Kitui South event on June 12, 2025, he joined dancers and pledged funds for grassroots development, emphasising the Kenya Kwanza administration's bottom-up economic agenda.
However, the Embu incident has fueled perceptions of extravagance, with critics pointing to the government's use of helicopters and large entourages while offering minimal payouts to participants.
Netizens decried the "culture of tokenism," noting that such small sums humiliate women amid Kenya's 35% youth unemployment and 7.5% GDP budget deficit.
The controversy echoes former Deputy President Gachagua's allegations that Kindiki paid Ksh 60 million to goons to disrupt June 25 and Saba Saba protests, framing opposition leaders for the chaos that killed 38 and injured over 130, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Kindiki refuted these claims on July 19, 2025, via Facebook, calling them "baseless" and asserting his non-violent record. He also criticised a fundraiser for arrested Gen Z protesters, implying it supported "looters," further polarising public sentiment.
The Embu dance payment has amplified these tensions with people sarcastically noting the women's group "cheering" for Ksh 64, highlighting the disconnect between government rhetoric and reality.
Opposition leaders, including Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, have labelled Kindiki's programs as "political conmanship," arguing that funds should address urgent needs like healthcare and education.
The KNCHR and Amnesty Kenya have called for transparency in the empowerment funds' origins, especially as Kenya grapples with a Ksh 10.9 trillion public debt and inflation-driven economic challenges.
The Embu incident, where women expected substantial support but received minimal compensation, underscores accusations of short-term media stunts over meaningful development.
Kindiki's Nyota scheme, promising Ksh 50,000 grants to 70 businesses per ward, has been touted as a solution, but critics question its sustainability given the government's planned budget cuts for 2025-2026.
With people and trend spikes in searches for "Kithure Kindiki dance payment controversy" and "Kenya empowerment funds 2025," indicating widespread interest, including among Kenya's diaspora and global observers.
The Embu women's plight, juxtaposed with Kindiki's lavish events, has become a symbol of perceived government insensitivity, with calls for accountability growing louder.
As Kindiki continues his tours, the fallout from this incident may challenge his and President Ruto's credibility, particularly in regions like Embu, where public trust is waning amid economic struggles and political unrest.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.