Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek has weighed in on the heated debate surrounding the recent Chemu-Eldoret empowerment initiative, urging Kenyans to stop judging community programmes based on the leaders who attend or the amount of money they contribute.

Kiborek said successful empowerment programmes and harambees require sacrifice, commitment, time and strong networks, dismissing the perception that politicians and public leaders have readily available personal funds for such initiatives.

The MP said mobilising resources often involves reaching out to individuals in the business, farming, corporate, political and sports sectors, as well as other well-wishers willing and able to support a cause.

His remarks followed criticism and debate over the Chemu-Eldoret empowerment event, with some questioning its success because certain leaders did not attend.

Kiborek argued that the absence of particular leaders should not be used to determine whether an empowerment initiative has succeeded or failed.

He said there is a misconception that leaders have "free money" which they can simply withdraw and channel into empowerment programmes.

According to Kiborek, behind every successful community initiative is often a network of people who have been approached, persuaded and asked to contribute their resources, time or connections.

The legislator also called for an end to what he described as a culture of entitlement, saying no leader, friend or public figure should automatically be expected to finance another person's initiative.

He maintained that supporting community programmes should be viewed as a voluntary act of goodwill rather than an obligation.

Kiborek further said empowerment should not be regarded as the responsibility of politicians alone, arguing that individuals from different sectors of society can contribute towards initiatives that improve the lives of others.

He urged Kenyans to appreciate people who dedicate their time and resources to supporting communities instead of focusing on who attended an event or how much a particular individual contributed.

The MP said meaningful empowerment requires collective responsibility, sacrifice and willingness to stand with others, urging communities to focus on the impact of initiatives rather than political personalities associated with them.

His comments come amid growing debate over political participation in community empowerment programmes, with leaders increasingly using such initiatives to engage residents and support vulnerable groups.