WOMEN OF KENYA INITIATIVE (WOKI) COMES BACK TO HAUNT NYERI TOWN MP ESTHER MURUGI.

Nyeri women are planning to move to court on a case against Nyeri Town MP Esther Murug'i for what they allege is a scam in which they lost money.

Women of Kenya Initiative (WOKI) is an organization that was started and spearheaded by Hon Murugi when she was Special Programs minister during the second term of Kibaki administration.

Nyeri women are claiming that Hon Murugi then approached women from across the county and asked them to join the organization with the assurance that the association would later be changed into a sacco.

Each member registered with two hundred and forty shillings. Later they were requested to contribute a thousand shillings each, which they did. Deposits were made to Kenya Commercial Bank. It is estimated that over three million was collected from the over 2,500 women who joined WOKI.

Members were then promised that they would access loans at a 5% interest, which was very low compared to banks were charging then. Members were also assured that the association would also attract funds from government agencies and NGOs focused on women empowerment, which funds would be made available to the association members.

Sharon Watetu who hails from Witemere slums, and who claims to have registered close to a hundred members from Majengo and Witemere slums said that they worried that they will never recover their money.

The women are now hoping that the court will step in and ensure Hon Murugi is forced to account for WOKI and that members can finally get back their contributions, and interest.