Nakuru West’s Member of Parliament, Samuel Arama, has recently come under scrutiny following the emergence of a photograph depicting a troubling incident involving a disadvantaged child after the distribution of a bursary.
The image, which quickly spread across social media platforms, captured the MP alongside a visibly distressed secondary school student holding a sign expressing gratitude towards Arama for the awarded bursaries. This display prompted widespread condemnation from Kenyan citizens, who questioned the appropriateness of the MP’s actions, particularly given his recent controversies.
Public reaction to the incident was swift, with many individuals expressing their disapproval. Martin Chege criticized what he perceived as an ostentatious display, denouncing it as a form of exploitation of the less fortunate. Betty Kilonzo voiced concern over the potential emotional toll on the child, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable individuals from such humiliation.
Additionally, Mista Scents drew attention to broader systemic issues within the leadership, suggesting that Arama’s actions were indicative of a larger problem. Meanwhile, Martin Wangwe raised doubts about the funding source for the bursaries, calling for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
Isaac Kimaru called for legal repercussions against Arama, citing the incident as a form of child abuse and expressing frustration over the misuse of public funds.
This incident is not an isolated one for Arama. On February 1, 2024, the MP encountered a crowd of parents outside his office seeking bursary forms. In a video recording of the incident, Arama expressed bewilderment at the large turnout, questioning the necessity for such queues when the bursary application period extended until the end of February.
Furthermore, Arama accused the parents of idleness, attributing their actions to widespread unemployment. He criticized their behavior, characterizing it as foolish and unnecessary, despite the availability of the forms on a daily basis, albeit with a limited quota.
In summary, Samuel Arama’s actions surrounding the bursary distribution have ignited public outrage, drawing attention to issues of accountability, transparency, and sensitivity towards disadvantaged individuals in leadership positions.