National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has hit back at former Chief Justice David Maraga over his recent criticism of grassroots economic empowerment initiatives, accusing the retired judge of being elitist and disconnected from the realities facing ordinary Kenyans.

Speaking during a community event in Kiambu County on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Ichung’wah defended the small-scale financial support programs being rolled out across the country, many of which offer modest sums to local groups and individuals.

His remarks follow growing political debate over the effectiveness and intent of such programs, which are increasingly shaping campaign narratives ahead of the 2027 general election.

“I heard someone arrogantly ask, ‘What can Sh1,000 do?’ And this person wants to be president?” Ichung’wah posed, without naming Maraga directly. “Most of us started with nothing. Even Sh500 can make a real difference in someone’s life.”

Maraga, during a public lecture and in a televised interview on July 15, questioned the value of low-capital empowerment handouts, warning that they may not offer lasting solutions to Kenya’s economic challenges.

He urged political leaders to focus on structural economic reforms rather than one-off donations, particularly in the lead-up to elections.

“Don’t go out dishing money to people when you should be revamping the economy so they can earn their own,” Maraga said. “Giving Sh1,000 or Sh2,000 doesn’t solve the root problems. Voters shouldn’t be swayed by token handouts during election seasons.”

But Ichung’wah dismissed the remarks as elitist and tone-deaf, defending the community-based empowerment drives as meaningful to many Kenyans living in poverty.

“That kind of thinking is arrogant. If you want to uplift people, let us meet them where they are. Empowerment isn’t about big theories, it’s about action no matter how small,” Ichung’wah said, stressing that leadership must be grounded in empathy and real-world impact.

He warned against undermining the dignity of rural and low-income communities by questioning the value of modest financial support. “People in the villages deserve respect. Small beginnings matter,” he added.

Maraga, who has become increasingly vocal on governance matters since his retirement, had argued that such handouts risk becoming political tools that distract from deeper reform. “Kenyans must not be bought with a few notes,” he cautioned.

The clash between the two prominent figures underscores growing political and ideological divides over the direction of Kenya’s economic recovery, especially as leaders gear up for the next election cycle