Fred Matiang’i on Sunday criticized the significant increase in the budget allocated to State House Nairobi under the administration of William Ruto, saying the rise raises serious questions about government spending priorities.
Speaking during a church service, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary said the State House budget has grown sharply in the last three years. According to Matiang’i, the budget stood at about KSh 4.5 billion in 2022 but has since increased to nearly KSh 17 billion. He described the jump as shocking and called for greater transparency on how the funds are being used.
Matiang’i argued that such a dramatic increase in expenditure at the presidency comes at a time when many critical sectors of the economy are struggling with limited resources. He said the government should prioritize essential public services such as education and healthcare, which directly affect the daily lives of millions of Kenyans.
The former minister pledged that if he is elected president in the future, he would significantly reduce the State House budget. Matiang’i said his administration would cut the allocation by up to 80 percent and redirect the savings to support schools and hospitals across the country.
He emphasized that investing in education and health would have a more meaningful impact on national development than increasing spending at the executive level. According to him, strengthening these sectors would help improve service delivery, expand opportunities for young people, and ensure better access to quality healthcare for citizens.
His remarks come amid ongoing national debate about government expenditure and the need for responsible management of public resources.