Former presidential economic advisor Moses Kuria has voiced strong disappointment after Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire admitted before the Senate that funds allocated to the Mashanga County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) were redirected to finance a boda boda summit.
In a pointed post on X, Kuria described the move as a betrayal of Kenya’s national development vision. He lamented that Mbarire, whom he called a friend, admitted to using money earmarked for long-term industrial growth to fund a short-term political activity.
During a session of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, Governor Mbarire confirmed that resources meant for the Mashanga CAIP were instead spent on supporting boda boda SACCO activities.
Her admission drew sharp criticism from senators, who questioned how development funds could be repurposed without proper approval.
For Kuria, the issue went beyond legality. He reminded Kenyans that CAIPs were designed to transform rural economies, with each industrial park expected to:
Create at least 20,000 direct jobs per county
Boost farmers’ incomes through value addition
Open export opportunities for local produce
Stimulate growth of new urban centres, reducing migration to major cities.
Kuria argued that the economic ripple effect of successful CAIPs would have surpassed flagship programmes such as Universal Health Care and Affordable Housing combined. By diverting the funds, he said, ordinary Kenyans were denied a chance at sustainable livelihoods.
“Had these projects succeeded, political credit might have gone elsewhere, but the real loss is to the people,” Kuria emphasized.
Governor Mbarire defended her decision, citing financial pressures, but assured senators that such a diversion would not occur again.
However, lawmakers warned that the matter could lead to penalties, including possible surcharges.
The controversy has reignited the debate on county accountability and the risks of sacrificing long-term development goals for short-term political interests, with CAIPs once again under the spotlight in Kenya’s economic conversation.
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Politics