People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has sharply criticised the government over its fiscal priorities, saying the increase in State House expenditure alongside cuts to health and education reflects a “clear case of misplaced priorities” in national budgeting.

Speaking during an interview on a local station on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, she argued that essential services that benefit millions of Kenyans are being sacrificed while non-essential spending remains protected, including State House operations, parliamentary travel and hospitality expenditure.

The remarks come amid intensified opposition criticism of the Finance Bill 2026, which leaders say mirrors previous controversial fiscal measures that triggered public backlash during the June 25 protests and the Finance Bill 2024 debate.

They are lying to Kenyans

Karua said the government was misleading citizens on how public funds are being allocated, insisting that priorities had been deliberately flipped.

“They lie to us. They are not funding as they explain it. They flip it. You are raising funding for State House for many unnecessary things, and MPs’ travel is not touched,” she said.

She added that critical sectors were being underfunded while luxury and administrative expenditure remained intact.

Health and education are being defunded

Karua further argued that reductions in key social sectors were being used to finance other government priorities.

“You get money from health and education by defunding them. Yet hospitality has not been scrapped,” she said.

She maintained that the government had failed to demonstrate commitment to austerity, especially in areas where public resources could be trimmed without hurting citizens.

Ordinary Kenyans are already tightening belts

Karua also defended Kenyans who have opposed additional taxation measures, saying citizens were already bearing the weight of economic hardship.

“We can go without other things and tighten the belt like any others. But essential services must not be sacrificed while non-essential spending is protected,” she said.

The criticism mirrors sentiments raised in a joint opposition statement warning that the Finance Bill 2026 repeats policies rejected during the June 25 protests.

Opposition warns of repeat crisis

In a separate statement, opposition leaders argued that the government has failed to adjust its fiscal approach despite public resistance, insisting that the same tax and spending patterns that triggered earlier unrest are being reintroduced.

They said Kenyans are not rejecting taxation but are demanding accountability, value for money and an end to wasteful expenditure.

The debate over the Finance Bill 2026 is expected to intensify in Parliament as scrutiny over government spending priorities continues to grow.