A politician has urged residents of Lari Kirenga ward in Lari constituency in Kiambu not to be so eager to receive handouts from politicians, but to welcome efforts to empower their community.
He said a lot of politicians rush to dish out money to people so as to woo them to support them, but no one is left with anything to show.
Stephen Ngige who is also known as “Kibano”, told locals that it was important for politicians to cultivate on a culture of supporting the community with items that will add value to their lives as well as their groups.
“When someone visits you and seeks for your support, definitely some with give you a lot of money. May be even Sh 200,000 in a single day can be given out, this will leave you having received at least Sh 200 each, but in the evening you’ll have spent it all, which is not bad” he said.
“I feel it’s important that when I visit you, I give you an item that will help you and your village many days to come. For example, I’ve supported you with a tent, cooking items, salon items etc” he said.
The MCA aspirant spoke at Kaheria village in Gitithia location when he donated a tent with it 50 seats to Urumwe wa Kaheria Community Group.
Ngigi asked youths to form and register groups, adding that county government and national government as well as other non governmental organisations, prefer offering support to groups with items so that the community can grow.
However, he noted that poverty has left so many people being stuck in the villages because of lack of knowledge, adding that the community needs to be pampered with information all the times.
“A lot of opportunities have gone simply because our people do not have or do not information at the right time on how to get those opportunities” he said.
The Kaheria village chairman Mutura Karumba thanked the aspirant for surprising them with some goodies that will benefit them.
“We have been hiring a tent from far whenever we have an occasion. Today we are happy since we have been empowered with a tent” Karumba said.
Another resident Ann Wanjiru said the politician has set another strategy of approaching locals, adding that others should follow suit instead of giving them money.
“When we are given some money, women only buy a maize flour, while our youthful sons, rush to nearby pubs to buy alcohol. The youth just make noise only for them to come home hungry looking for something to eat” the mother of 4 said.
