A section of Kenyans is aggrieved by senior government officials flaunting hefty cash in harambees reminiscent of fundraisers held during the late President Daniel arap Moi's regime.
From carrying bundles of notes in sacks and shopping bags to pledging millions of shillings, pro-government politicians were accused of splashing cash amid tough economic times.
Senior politicians have been traversing more schools, with a younger generation and upcoming voters, than churches in a different approach from the strategic 2022 campaigns, where they targeted older voters in religious institutions.
On Friday, August 11, senior government officials led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki raised more than Ksh15 million to purchase a school bus for St. Germaine Gatanga Girls High School in Gatanga, Murang'a County.
While addressing the residents, Kindiki revealed that President Ruto had authorised the purchase of the bus. Kindiki also donated Ksh2 million, which he explained would be used to expand facilities in the school, including the kitchenware.
"We just sent a text message to the President, and he has agreed to buy the school bus which will be used to bring dignity to the students," Kindiki stated.
This development has ignited discussions on the origins of money, invoking questions about financial transparency and accountability, especially when Kenyans grapple with tough economic challenges.
To compound the matter, the government has been accusing the previous regime led by President Uhuru Kenyatta of plundering government resources and leaving empty Treasury coffers.
The government has also borrowed over Ksh1.2 trillion in William Ruto's first nine months in office, with a huge chunk issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, despite the head of state being elected on the promise of steering the country away from credit facilities.
Ruto also signed the Finance Act 2023 into law introducing new tax hikes, which were challenged at the High Court and Court of Appeal, with the latter lifting conservatory orders issued against the Act by the junior court, pending the determination of the case.
Thus, the section of Kenyans who questioned the government's source of funds splashed complained that they were irked by the donations at a time when they are set to be double taxed as the government backdated the 1.5% housing levy back to July 2023. The amount will be taxed at the end of this month.
Some questioned how rich the politicians are and their ability to sustain such contributions.
Among the largest donations in the recent past came from President William Ruto, who, on Friday, July 21, gifted Mugoiri Girls High School in Murang'a County Ksh50 million for development purposes. Ruto also gave a brand new bus to enable the institution to carry out its daily operations and enrich its student's educational experience through various extra-curricular activities.
"Back to Moi era. We want performance, not cash. You can't give donations to all Kenyans," one comment on a video ofKindiki's donation, shared by Kenyans.co.ke read.
"Immediately after a fortnight, you will lament that your ministry cannot conduct certain operations due to financial constraints, and we can now clearly see bulk money carried in a bag in the name of fundraising. Let us wait," another concerned Kenyan complained.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Xavier Ouma, a Political Science and Administration Lecturer, observed that politicians are always planning for the future, and all donations have a string attached.
"The concerns over multi-million shilling harambees are also compounded by the fact that Kenya is facing a number of economic challenges, including high unemployment, poverty, and corruption," Ouma stated.
"Kenyans are questioning why government officials are spending millions of shillings on harambees when they could be using that money to address these more pressing issues," he added.
He also explained that Public Officer Ethics Act prohibits public officers from using their position to influence governance and benefiting from state resources.
In his argument, the political scientists warned those receiving the donations also to be alive to the fact that it is illegal for people to solicit donations for personal deceptive gains.
Ruto Defends Donations
President William Ruto has consistently defended his donations and once condemned his critics, saying that he (Ruto) understands the needs of Kenyans better.
"Those competing with me question why William Ruto is moving around with money, helping mama mbogas; where does he get money for boda-boda riders and the underprivileged?
"I want to tell them that they cannot understand because they haven't been raised the way some of us have been raised," Ruto responded at a rally in Surgoi, West Pokot County, in January 2022.
