Lawyer and political commentator Willis Evans Otieno has criticised what he said was a request by the office of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for an additional Ksh1.8 billion through a supplementary budget.

His remarks add to growing public anger over government spending at a time when officials continue to urge Kenyans to accept strict austerity measures.

Otieno raised the issue on X on Saturday, March 14, 2026, questioning the request for additional funds as taxpayers continue to struggle with the high cost of living and tax burden.

“The office of Kithure Kindiki is now asking for an extra Ksh1.8 billion in a supplementary budget; Ksh100 million for helicopter hire and Ksh350 million for hospitality and events,” Otieno wrote.

“At a time when Kenyans are being lectured about austerity, this is nothing short of fiscal arrogance,” the outspoken lawyer added.

MPs query

This comes after members of the National Assembly’s Administration and Internal Security committee questioned the supplementary budget request from the Deputy President’s office.

Some of the MPs sitting in the committee raised concerns about the request, asking the office of the deputy president to give clarity.

“What specific activities justify this increase in hospitality spending, and could the accounting officer itemise them?” Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu posed.

“Who are these new employees? What is their number, and what are they being paid?” Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma also wondered.

Appearing before the committee, the Principal Administrative Secretary in Office of the deputy president, Moses Mbaruku indicated that they were seeking an additional Ksh100 million for choppers.

“On the hiring of choppers, the money that was appropriated was Ksh150 million, and we are now seeking an additional Ksh100 million. That is subject to approval by this committee.”

According to the reports, the Deputy President’s office has already received Ksh3 billion in the current financial year. The allocation covers operational costs, staff salaries, official travel, and events.

Despite that funding, the office now seeks an additional Ksh1.8 billion to address what officials describe as emerging gaps in its budget.

The breakdown of the proposed spending has triggered the sharpest reaction. The request includes Ksh100 million specifically set aside for helicopter hire and air travel. Another Ksh350 million would go towards hospitality and official events hosted by the Deputy President’s office.

Other allocations cover local travel, staff compensation, and general administrative costs linked to the office’s daily operations.

For critics like Otieno, the numbers highlight what they see as a disconnect between the government’s message and its actions. In recent months, leaders have repeatedly called on citizens to accept tough economic measures aimed at reducing spending and stabilising public finances.

Many Kenyans now argue that requests such as this undermine that message. Critics say those increases send the wrong signal while ordinary households face higher living costs and new tax demands.

State overspending

Otieno’s criticism also follows earlier remarks he made about government spending at the highest levels.

In February 2026, the lawyer accused State House of excessive expenditure during the current financial year. In a post on X, he claimed State House Nairobi spent Ksh1.3 billion in January alone, an average of about Ksh43 million each day.

“State House Nairobi spent Sh1.3 billion in January alone an average of Sh43 million every single day. Sh43 million daily… in a country where hospitals are rationing medicine, universities are increasing fees, and counties are pleading poverty to justify stalled development,” he wrote at the time.

Treasury data partly supported the concern about spending levels. By the end of January 2026, the State House’s recurrent expenditure had reached Ksh10.4 billion, exceeding its approved annual allocation of Ksh7.7 billion with several months still left in the financial year.

Early in March 2026, Parliament approved an additional Ksh8.4 billion for State House, effectively doubling funds for items such as travel and hospitality. This will raise its total budget from Ksh7.7 billion to Ksh16.1 billion for the 2025/26 financial year.