A new report from the Controller of Budget has revealed that the government spent an additional Sh48.8 billion during the first nine months of the 2024/2025 financial year—driven largely by efforts to support Raila Odinga’s failed African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid and President William Ruto’s extensive domestic tours.
According to the National Government Budget Implementation Review Report released by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, 16 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) requested supplementary funds between July 2024 and March 2025 under Article 223 of the Constitution. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State House were among the largest spenders.
Raila’s AU Bid Costly Despite Defeat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested Sh523.8 million to support Raila Odinga’s campaign for AUC chairperson. Only Sh216.3 million was approved. Despite assembling a high-profile delegation—including over 100 MPs and President Ruto himself—to the January 2025 AUC Summit in Addis Ababa, Raila ultimately lost to Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.
State House Spending Also Rose
State House also requested an extra Sh1.5 billion to fund local tours, hospitality, fuel, and vehicle maintenance. Controller Nyakang’o approved Sh1.15 billion for these purposes.
In total, Nyakang’o authorized Sh42.22 billion under Article 223 during the nine-month review period. Most of these expenditures were later regularized in the Supplementary II Budget, in line with the law. However, Sh1.24 billion disbursed by the World Bank and used for a social protection project was not included in that regularization process.
Controller Flags Poor Budgeting Culture
Nyakang’o raised red flags about the government’s continued reliance on Article 223, which allows spending before Parliamentary approval. She noted that many of the expenditures should have been anticipated and included in the original budget.
“Poor planning and weak implementation continue to affect the national budget,” the report states.
“Government agencies must reduce reliance on Article 223 by ensuring better upfront budgeting for known expenditures.”
Other Major Budget Requests and Cuts
- The National Police Service requested Sh2.3 billion for its Haiti peacekeeping mission, but only Sh1 billion was approved.
- The State Department for Roads was denied its request to reallocate funds from the Roads Annuity Fund.
- The Broadcasting and Telecommunication department sought Sh627.6 million to settle pending Government Advertising Agency bills, but received only Sh354.3 million.
- The State Department for Public Health received Sh1.75 billion to clear salary arrears for doctors under the 2017–2021 CBA.
- Moi University’s Sh1.5 billion bailout request was slashed to Sh500 million.
Conclusion
The report paints a picture of costly political ambitions, with Raila’s AU bid and Ruto’s internal travels driving unplanned expenditure at a time when Kenya is already grappling with a widening budget deficit. Nyakang’o’s review highlights the urgent need for improved fiscal discipline, better planning, and transparent use of public resources.
