Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie on the spot for erecting a Ksh. 5 million tent to preside over the issuance of a bursary cheque worth Ksh. 3 million at Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute.
John Kiarie, who is the Member of Parliament for Dagoretti South, is facing criticism after spending Sh5 million to set up a large tent for an event where he gave out Sh3 million in bursaries to support students in need in his area.
The event happened on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, and many people in the community and online are questioning why he spent so much on the tent when the bursary amount is lower.
The bursary program was created to help secondary, tertiary, and university students from poor backgrounds, and Sh3 million was given to deserving students.
However, spending Sh5 million on a tent for the event has caused a lot of backlash. Many people believe this money could have been used better, perhaps to help more students or to support other important needs in the community.
Some sources say the tent was meant to protect everyone from bad weather during the event. However, critics think it was too extravagant, especially since the cost of the tent is much higher than the money given out in bursaries.
One local resident, James Otieno, said, “How can it make sense to spend Sh5 million on a tent when the bursary itself is only Sh3 million? That money could have helped more students.”
This isn’t the first time MP Kiarie has faced criticism. In November 2023, he was mocked online for saying that government actions had made life easier, which many Kenyans felt was not true considering their struggles.
Kiarie used to be a comedian known for his funny shows, but now, since he is in a position of power, he faces accusations of retracting his earlier criticisms of government leaders.
The bursary program he initiated is similar to those in other Kenya counties. For example, in Kirinyaga County, Governor Anne Waiguru recently handed out more than Sh3 million in bursaries to 251 students, part of a larger Sh110 million fund.
However, Waiguru’s program did not receive the same negative feedback regarding costs as Kiarie’s event did.
People on social media have reacted quickly, demanding more accountability in how public money is spent.
This controversy comes at a time when people in Kenya are paying more attention to issues of government transparency, especially after recent protests and calls for better governance.
