The latest report by the Controller of Budget has revealed that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto spent more than double of their travelling expenditure during the 2017 campaign period.
According to the report, huge sums of money were also spent on receiving and entertaining guests.
Travelling expenditure by the Presidency increased by 138 percent as Ksh432.5 million was spent compared to Ksh181.6 million in 2016.
Interestingly, Ksh 667 million was spent on hospitality, an increase of 85.5 percent from Ksh360 million spent in 2016/17.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto"]
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This was also highlighted in a report by EU election observers who pointed out that a lot of state resources were wasted during the campaign period.
“The elections were competitive with on average nearly eight candidates per seat being elected. Campaigning was largely free but marred by politicians’ attacks on State institutions and by the misuse of State resources,” revealed Ms Schaake.
In 2017, NASA leader Raila Odinga had also asked the judiciary to investigate how Kenyatta and Ruto were dishing out goodies as he questioned the source of their funding.
The Supreme Court, however, absolved the two from any wrongdoing in that regard.
President Kenyatta has been trying to cement his legacy by implementing the Big Four Agenda; Universal Healthcare, Manufacturing, Affordable Housing and Food Security but this latest report might not be taken kindly.
During the State of the Nation address this week, the President pleaded with Parliament to help anchor his second term’s economic agenda with speedy passage of the legislation that is needed to roll out its pillars.
"This dream (Big Four) is going to become a reality if we all join hands to eliminate the barriers to its realisation, through legislation and new policies to incentivize the private sector,” stated Kenyatta, adding that Kenyans want their families kept safe from catastrophic medicare bills, quality jobs, especially in manufacturing, food security and dignified, affordable homes.
“The Big Four Agenda serves each of these,” he added as he promised to return to Parliament to seek MPs’ support in passing legislation needed to roll out the plan.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta"]
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