Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has mocked President William Ruto’s allies over what he described as a poor turnout at their women empowerment event in Kipkeikei, Cherang’any Constituency.
On Friday, July 11, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Ruto’s Personal Assistant Farouk Kibet led a group of pro-government leaders to the area as part of a nationwide tour focused on women empowerment.
During the event, the leaders took turns to criticise Natembeya, who has been a vocal critic of the Ruto administration. However, the Tawe Movement leader responded by trolling the team online, highlighting what he claimed was a disappointing crowd at the event.
In one of his posts, Natembeya shared an aerial photo of the venue showing sparse attendance, captioned: “Kipkeikei, Cherang’any Constituency Empowerment program. Eeh jameni.”
In another post, he suggested that the attendees had been ferried from distant areas, sharing an image of an Eldoret Express bus he claimed was used to transport the crowd.
“Kipkeikei. Cherang’any constituency women empowerment program. Walitaja jina ya Natembeya watu wakatoka, wale walibaki ni wale walitolewa mbali na wanaongojea fare,” he added.
Natembeya’s remarks come amid growing claims that government-allied politicians are hiring crowds to project popularity.
Earlier this week, KTN reported that women attending President Ruto’s event in Kilimani, Dagoretti North Constituency, Nairobi, had allegedly been mobilised with promises of as little as KSh 200.
A video showing the women boarding a bus to the event, as a section of onlookers shouted at them and labelled them traitors, was widely shared on social media platforms.
By Nairobi