State House, Ruto's office big spenders on hospitality

State House and the Office of the President has spent Sh1.1 billion in hospitality within nine months despite the government’s push for austerity measures.

This translates to Sh446.5 million more compared to last year where the two institutions spent Sh653.5 million collectively.

According to the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o’s report, State House was the largest spender on hospitality at Sh771.68 million.

It is followed by the President's office whose spending on hospitality hit Sh357.15 million, Sh8.21 million more than that of his deputy.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s office, according to the CoB, spent Sh348.94 million.

The National Government Budget Implementation review report covers nine months of 2023-24 financial year – July 1, 2023 to March 31 2024.

In the same period last year, State House spent Sh429.9 million while the Office of the President incurred a bill of Sh223.5 million.

The revelations comes at a time President William Ruto has made a  call to ministries, departments and state agencies to cut expenditure on luxury spendings.

The aim of the austerity measures was to free resources for the implementation of government-priority activities under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

“The information in the report is helpful to the Legislature and the Executive arms of government in facilitating decision-making relating to the management of public funds,”  Nyakang’o said.

“I urge the duty bearers in the budget implementation of the national government to implement the the recommendations to ensure seamless budget execution that will enhance achievement of the government’s development agenda.”

The report that is currently before Parliament also indicates that Rigathi’s office also spent Sh121.59 million on trainings during the nine months.

Article 228 of the Constitution and Section 9 of the CoB Act, 2016 compels the CoB to submit quarterly budget implementation reports for the national and county governments to Parliament.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s office also spent Sh20.81 million in training, Sh9.78 million more than Ruto’s office used in training staff.

State Department of Parliamentary office, another agency in Musalia’s office further spent Sh24.29 million to train staff.

During the period, State Department of Immigration Services spent the highest in rentals at Sh406.81 million during the nine months.

The report reveals that the government spent Sh12.4 billion on insurance and another Sh1.8 billion on motor vehicle fuel and lubricants.

Nyakang’o’s report indicates that spending on printing and advertising was also highest at State House followed by DP’s office in the period under review.

From the figures, State House spent Sh16.51 million on printing and advertising while the DP’s office incurred Sh7.19 million on the same.

Nyakang’o also warned more than 10 state agencies, which declined to submit their travel data for scrutiny.

The agencies include the State Law Office, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, National Intelligence Service, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Others are the National Land Commission, Parliamentary Service Commission, National Assembly, Senate, Judiciary, Commission On Revenue Allocation, Salaries and Remuneration Commission, Auditor General and Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

Section 16 of the CoB Act requires that all public entities must submit accurate and timely information as requested. 

Nyakang’o added that among the ministries, departments and agencies that submitted data, several discrepancies were noted, “indicating inconsistencies and potential inaccuracies in the reported information.”

“The CoB recommends strict compliance with the comprehensive guidelines on foreign travel for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies ,” she said.

She raised concerns about non-compliance with government guidelines relating to non-core expenses including domestic and foreign travel.