More than 200 women from Kakamega County who had hoped to meet President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, were left stranded overnight after a promised trip failed to materialise.
Each of the women had paid Sh3,450 to secure a place on the journey.
According to the women, they were mobilised by organisers who promised them that they would travel to Nairobi and meet President Ruto at State House.
They were told the trip was part of a women empowerment programme and that they would be given money and other goodies after meeting the President.
The women, who came from different parts of Kakamega County, gathered at an agreed meeting point, ready to travel. They had paid the money for transport and other logistics.
However, after waiting for hours, no buses arrived. The organisers reportedly switched off their phones and disappeared.
The women were left stranded overnight, with nowhere to sleep and no money to go back home.
Some of the women said they had borrowed the money to pay for the trip, hoping they would get more money after meeting the President.
One woman said:
> “Tuliambiwa tutakutana na Rais Ruto State House. Tulilipa Sh3,450 kila mmoja. Sasa tumekwama hapa, hatuna pesa ya kurudi nyumbani.”
Translation: “We were told we would meet President Ruto at State House. We paid Sh3,450 each. Now we are stranded here, we have no money to go back home.”
Another woman said they had left their children and businesses at home to attend the trip, only to be conned.
The incident has sparked anger among residents of Kakamega. They are calling on police to investigate the organisers and arrest those who collected money from the women.
They are also calling on the government to warn Kenyans against people who use the name of the President to con unsuspecting citizens.
It is not yet clear who the organisers were. Police in Kakamega say they have started investigations into the matter.
State House has not yet commented on the incident. In the past, State House has warned Kenyans against people who claim they can arrange meetings with the President in exchange for money.
The women are now appealing to well-wishers and leaders from Kakamega to help them get transport back home.