In our long investigations on the what UDA Brigade Term as Empowerment we have independently discovered Some characters can’t even pull crowds. Hopkin Digital Media unearthed that Bonny Musambi, Martha Mati and Mbaki Mbaki ara being political opportunists who depend on established political networks rather than commanding substantial support of their own.
The criticism followed Friday’s empowerment and public engagement forum at Kavuta Primary school in Kyangwithya West, hosted by Musambi as he continues his campaign for the Kitui Central parliamentary seat in 2027. The event attracted several political leaders and residents.
Among the UDA TUTAM brigade they have branded Musambi and Mbaki “political opportunists and scavengers”, alleging that they have little independent grassroots machinery and cannot consistently organise crowds comparable to those mobilised by established politicians.
The criticism has been reinforced by complaints from some people who attended Friday’s meeting. According to accounts circulating after the event, some attendees spent much of the day at the venue, including enduring the Scorching Sun, only to receive Sh100 each. There are also claims that more than 70 boda boda riders shared Sh20,000
The allegations have prompted sarcastic questions among some attendees over what “Empowerment” means if people spend an entire day at a political gathering and leave with only Sh100.
The claims contrast with reports from Musambi’s supporters, who portrayed Friday’s gathering as a significant show of grassroots support, with residents publicly backing his 2027 bid.
The political argument has now shifted to whether the crowds seen at such events represent Musambi’s personal political following or the combined mobilisation capacity of the wider UDA network.
We Unearthed that the involvement of leaders such as Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai, Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai and Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna, arguing that politicians seeking to demonstrate grassroots strength should be able to organise substantial gatherings independently.
Locals have also invoked the 2022 General Election, when Musambi lost his bid for the Kitui Central parliamentary seat and Mbaki was unsuccessful in his bid for the Kwa Vonza MCA position.
Their opponents argue that the two were rejected at the ballot box in 2022 and should therefore demonstrate what has changed in their grassroots support since then, rather than relying on appearances at events organised through broader political networks.
The criticism has extended to the information reaching President William Ruto about the strength of his political allies in Kitui.
Critics allege that some politicians may be giving the President an exaggerated impression of their grassroots reach by presenting crowds assembled through wider political networks as evidence of their own independent support.
Hopkin Digital Media now challenges Bonny Musambi, Mbaki Mbaki and Martha Mati to put their claimed grassroots influence to the test by organising independent public meetings and empowerment programmes under their own political banners.
The challenge is straightforward: step away from the established political machinery and mobilise your own supporters.
Hopkin Digital Media’s investigation has found persistent questions over whether some politicians appearing prominently at large UDA gatherings can independently reproduce the same turnout when operating without the support of established political networks.
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