Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has launched a fresh attack on the government’s bottom-up economic model, branding it a scheme that enriches the political elite while ordinary citizens are left struggling for survival.

Speaking during a church service at Jesus Teaching Ministry (JTM) on Sunday, August 24, 2025, the outspoken legislator claimed the much-publicized model has been distorted to benefit those at the top instead of uplifting hustlers, the very group it was designed to serve.

“Hii bottom up ina maana mbili, Maana ya kwanza ya bottom up ni kuchukua pesa ya wananchi wa Kenya kule chini kisha iliwe kule juu State House, iibiwe kule juu,” Babu declared.

According to the MP, the slogan’s second meaning is equally deceptive, creating only an illusion of empowerment. He said youth are often mobilized under the guise of support programs but end up with no tangible benefits.

Babu criticized tokenistic projects disguised as empowerment initiatives, arguing they exploit rather than uplift young people.

“Chukua vijana hao wakiwa hamsini hamsini alafu wapatie motorbike. Saa hii, hiyo motorbike the lowest ni 100,000, ukidivide wale vijana hamsini kila mtu anatoka na elfu mbili. Je, ni bottom up kweli, hiyo ni ungwana?” he posed.

The MP insisted that true empowerment must go beyond handouts and focus on policies that create sustainable economic opportunities. He vowed to continue speaking against what he described as the government’s hypocrisy and misplaced priorities.

Babu positioned himself as a defender of ordinary Kenyans, saying he would not remain silent while leaders “eat at the top” as citizens suffer below.

He also took aim at President William Ruto, urging him to confront corruption within his inner circle instead of shifting blame to Members of Parliament. He questioned why the president highlights corruption in Parliament while allegedly shielding individuals close to him.

“Ukikuja mbele yake unaona Governor wa Nairobi. Instead of kudishi na county, anadishi county. Kwa hivyo Rais, ili umalize corruption, you must start with your house. You must start with the people who are walking with you on a daily basis,” Babu remarked.

He went further, invoking scripture to drive his point home. “In the book of Matthew 23: 25-26, the Bible says woe unto you, the Pharisees who clean the outside of the cup and plate but leave the inside full of corruption, impunity, abductions, and death. Unatuambia unataka umalize corruption. When you walk as a President, you are surrounded by corruption. Instead of seeing the broad-based government, you see the Broad-Based Corruption (BBC),” he added.