Anne Waiguru, the Kirinyaga Governor was on the receiving end of backlash after issuing Ksh 45 million worth of bursary cheques.
The former Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary took to Facebook to reveal her donation that was meant to benefit low-income families.
The social media post dated Wednesday, May 6 was accompanied with photos of her signing and presenting the dummy cheque.
“Together with Kangai Ward MCA Hon John and other leaders, I have today issued the first tranche of Ksh45 million bursary cheques to go towards supporting children from deserving and underprivileged families in Kirinyaga County,” read the post by Waiguru.
Her kind gesture, however, elicited furious reactions by a section of Kenyans who urged her to channel the money to fight Covid-19.
The opposers noted that schools are currently closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the money was not necessary at the moment.
Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria was part of the group that criticised the governor as he took to social media to mock her.
Kuria posted a screenshot of Waiguru’s donation post which was accompanied by a sarcastic caption, “Which schools are open? Kirinyaga NYS institute?”
“Haha this is interesting when the schools were in session, no bursary was available. Now, when the schools have been closed indefinitely, the bursary is made available,” read one of the comments from her post.
“One day we will have honest leaders who will know the priorities of their people. Schools are closed, I don’t know until when and someone is drawing cheques to schools and people are dying of hunger and the virus. God help us,” read another comment.
In another post later by Waiguru, the governor reached out to the elderly population by handing out foodstuffs and masks.
“Covid-19 has had adverse effects on the vulnerable in our community. Today, accompanied by some members of the county assembly and other leaders, we gave food aid and masks to the elderly and the vulnerable in Kangai Ward. This is in-line with our relief aid program across the county,” read the post.
