Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has condemned the allocation of nearly Ksh17 billion to State House in the 2025/2026 financial year, arguing that such spending is unjustifiable as ordinary Kenyans face rising living costs, unpaid teacher interns, and underfunded essential services.

In a post on March 16, 2026, Nyoro questioned the scale of the allocation, highlighting that the amount could instead confirm 44,000 Junior Secondary School interns into permanent and pensionable terms, providing stability to the education sector.

He emphasised that leadership should prioritise national interests over personal or political gains. “Instead of wasting that money in political sloganeering, that money is better off funding our education sector or our health sector,” Nyoro said.

He added that even in an election year, campaign funds should come from personal sources rather than taxpayers, and urged leaders to reduce selfishness in governance.

Surge in spending raises concerns

The State House budget, initially approved at Ksh8.6 billion in June 2025, nearly doubled to Ksh16.998 billion following mid-year supplementary allocations under Article 223 of the Constitution.

These additional disbursements, totaling about Ksh8.42 billion, covered operational expenses, maintenance, and new state lodges without prior parliamentary approval. Recurrent expenditure dominates at Ksh16.1 billion, while development spending remains below Ksh1 billion.

Comparisons with global benchmarks have intensified criticism. The State House allocation exceeds the White House’s estimated Ksh 12.6 billion and is higher than spending in Nigeria (Ksh3.1 billion), South Africa (Ksh7.8 billion), and Tanzania (Ksh1.7 billion).

Former Attorney General Justin Muturi described the expenditure as “embarrassing” and inconsistent with government austerity messaging, emphasizing the mismatch between rhetoric and action.

“It cannot be that the Kenyan government, the State House of Kenya, spends Ksh17 billion in a single year, whereas the White House in Washington, America, which we go to beg from, spends Ksh12.6 billion. That is embarrassing. Here we are spending so much of taxpayers’ money, yet we still have to beg while the citizens suffer,” he said.

Public frustration amid economic hardship

Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has warned of potential mid-year exhaustion of funds, with Ksh 4.4 billion disbursed between December 2025 and February 2026, outpacing projections.

Nyoro also urged leaders to put aside personal ambition and selfishness if given the chance to govern, stressing that their legacy will not be measured by the wealth they accumulate but by the tangible work they do for the country.

He called on officials to prioritise Kenya’s interests, reminding them that meaningful contributions to national development, rather than personal gain, define true leadership and leave a lasting impact on citizens.

“So that, tukipewa chance ya uongozi tufupishe ubinafsi tafadhali na tuweke kenya mbele, kwa sababu hatutakumbukwa kama viongozi na ile pesa tuli accumulate, lakini na kazi ambayo tulifanyia nchi yetu ya Kenya.” he concluded.