Lawyer Willis Otieno has condemned what he described as a ‘my turn to eat’ mentality among some government officials.

He accuses them of using public office for personal enrichment while ordinary Kenyans carry the cost.

Through X on Monday, July 6, 2026, Otieno said the government’s priorities had shifted away from protecting citizens’ welfare and dignity, leaving households to contend with higher taxes.

“The rights, welfare, or dignity of the people does not drive this government. It is driven by the mentality of, ‘It is my turn to eat,’” Otieno said.

“Public office has become an avenue for self-enrichment while ordinary Kenyans are left to shoulder higher taxes, a rising cost of living, failing public services, and an ever-growing debt burden.”

Corruption burden

Otieno said Kenyans should not be forced to pay for corruption and poor financial decisions through heavier taxation, stagnant wages and reduced funding for essential services.

“The burden of corruption must never be transferred to citizens through punitive taxation, wage suppression, and cuts to essential services,” he said.

“Our future is not collateral for reckless borrowing, corruption, or failed leadership.”

His remarks come amid continued public concern over taxation, public spending, debt servicing and the rising cost of basic goods and services.

The government has maintained that additional revenue is necessary to fund development programmes, sustain public services and meet the country’s financial obligations.

Debt accountability

Otieno also called for personal accountability among officials and individuals involved in borrowing that is found to be unlawful or corrupt.

“We refuse to burden future generations with debts they neither approved, benefited from, nor had any opportunity to question,” he said.

“Those who negotiated, approved, or profited from illegal and corrupt borrowing must be held personally accountable. The people cannot be compelled to finance impunity.”

The lawyer said responsibility for questionable borrowing should rest with those who authorised or benefited from it, rather than being passed to citizens through taxes and reduced public spending.

His remarks add to calls for greater transparency in public borrowing, disclosure of loan agreements and closer scrutiny of how borrowed funds are spent.