The Office of the Controller of Budget (CoB) has revealed staggering figures detailing how the Executive Office of the President has been spending taxpayer funds, painting a picture of ballooning operational costs at State House amid tough economic times.
In her latest National Government Budget Implementation Review Report, Controller of Budget Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o disclosed that President William Ruto’s office spent an average of Ksh.2.2 million daily on printing services, amounting to about Ksh.817 million over the last financial year. The expenses reportedly cover printing government policies, directives, and official communications.
Nyakang’o’s report also flagged Ksh.1 billion spent on advisory services, with the number of presidential advisors now standing at 20 following recent appointments by the Head of State. A detailed breakdown shows allocations for multiple advisory roles, including Ksh.450 million for counter-terrorism, Ksh.150 million for strategic policy advisory, and Ksh.251 million for oversight of public entities, among others.
In addition, State House Nairobi is undergoing a massive Ksh.399 million refurbishment project, which is currently 66% complete and expected to be finalized in 2027. Cumulatively, the facelift on the House on the Hill has consumed about Ksh.1.17 billion so far.
The CoB further noted that while State House operations appear lavishly funded, her own office remains underfunded — receiving just Ksh.777.5 million of the Ksh.1.63 billion requested for FY 2025/26 — a disparity critics say underscores misplaced priorities.
The revelations have triggered sharp public backlash. Social media users questioned how State House could possibly consume millions daily on printing, with blogger Pauline Njoroge sarcastically pointing out that at “10 bob per colour page,” the spending translates to 220,000 pages printed every day. Others faulted the high-cost renovations, terming them tone-deaf amid calls for fiscal austerity and belt-tightening. The new “modernized” State House look has also drawn criticism from some Kenyans who see it as erasing a piece of national heritage.
The findings come as the government continues to urge citizens to accept tough tax measures and austerity programs. Critics argue that excessive spending on administrative functions and advisory roles diverts resources from critical sectors like health, education, and infrastructure. With renovations stretching to 2027 and advisory spending on an upward trend, watchdogs warn of a growing gap between presidential spending and national priorities.
As pressure mounts, calls for fiscal accountability are growing louder, with experts warning that unchecked administrative spending could undermine public trust and strain already limited government resources.
