According to a report by Taifa Leo, President William Ruto’s office is once again demanding more money from taxpayers, seeking an extra Ksh651 million to cover salaries, buy cars, and pay off debts.
This comes after the office had already exhausted its initial and supplementary budgets, leaving it unable to fund key government programs.
Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei defended the request, claiming that the budget allocated to the President’s Office is not enough to support its operations.
However, this move raises serious concerns about the government’s spending habits, especially at a time when Kenyans are struggling with high taxes and a tough economy.
One of the most questionable allocations in the request is the Ksh200 million set aside to buy new vehicles for State House staff and the Public Service Office.
The justification is that the current fleet is old and costly to maintain, yet no details have been given about the actual condition of these vehicles or why such a huge sum is necessary.
At a time when ordinary citizens are being told to tighten their belts, the government seems more concerned with acquiring luxury for itself.
The request also includes Ksh601.8 million for salaries and operational expenses, Ksh50 million for development projects, and Ksh70.65 million for printing services and payments to staff who have worked beyond their contracts.
It is unclear why printing services alone should cost tens of millions, yet digital systems are supposedly in place to cut such costs. This raises the question of whether this budget is inflated for the benefit of a few well-connected individuals.
Among the most alarming allocations is Ksh498 million for salaries in departments under the President’s Office, including the Government Spokesperson’s office.
If the initial budget for salaries has already been depleted, it begs the question of whether the office is hiring unnecessary staff or paying huge salaries to insiders.
Additionally, Ksh105 million is being channeled to the National Museums, Arts, and Sports Board, though there is little clarity on how this money will be used.Even more troubling is the Ksh382.29 million set aside to settle unpaid supplier bills.
If the President’s Office cannot manage its budget properly, why should taxpayers be forced to bail it out? The government constantly preaches about financial discipline, yet it is now seeking approval to clear debts it accumulated due to poor planning.
This is a clear sign of financial mismanagement at the highest levels. Another Ksh213.59 million is being requested for allowances, including payments for the Government Information Panel led by Judge Kullow and for the panel that selected Public Service Commission commissioners.
These are unnecessary expenses at a time when Kenyans are being taxed heavily to fund government operations. The spending spree continues with an additional Ksh100 million being demanded for a national tree-planting project, which raises concerns about transparency and accountability in environmental initiatives.
The Directorate of National Cohesion is also asking for Ksh70 million to compile an annual report on leadership ethics and governance, a function that should not require such a huge sum.
If leadership ethics and governance were truly a priority, the government should lead by example and cut unnecessary expenditure instead of burdening Kenyans with more financial demands.Koskei admitted that the President’s Office is facing a budget deficit of Ksh3.048 billion across its departments.
Instead of fixing this financial mess, the office is now pressuring Parliament to approve more funding, shifting the burden to taxpayers. This is a clear indication that the government is living beyond its means, prioritizing its comfort while ordinary Kenyans struggle with high food prices, job losses, and increased cost of living.
The parliamentary committee led by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo must seriously scrutinize this request before approving it. The reckless spending of the President’s Office is a slap in the face of hardworking Kenyans who are being taxed heavily but see little benefit in return.
If this trend continues, the government risks losing public trust as it becomes clear that the promises of economic discipline were nothing but empty words.
