The State House budget has been increased 47.7 percent or Sh1.89 billion for an undisclosed expense, purchase of cars and local trips, signalling increased travel by President Uhuru Kenyatta in the months to the August General Election.
The Treasury’s supplementary budget estimates presented to Parliament for review indicate fresh allocation of Sh1.05 billion to State House under a budget item labelled other operating expenses.
This undisclosed budget item has nearly doubled from Sh1.2 billion that was presented and approved by MPs ahead of June last year.
The car purchase budget for Mr Kenyatta’s office has increased 30 times from Sh10 million to Sh300 million, backed up by an extra Sh25 million for fuel to Sh98.9 million.
Kenyans are due to go to the polls in August but Mr Kenyatta will not be on the ballot due to a constitutional term limit of two five-year terms.
But he has thrown his weight behind his former foe, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, who formally announced his fifth presidential bid in December.
Unlike his predecessor Mwai Kibaki, Mr Kenyatta has announced an aggressive campaign for Mr Odinga against his Deputy William Ruto, who has been vocal about his own presidential ambitions.
The additional allocation for vehicle purchase, local trips and hotel costs, just four and half months to the end of the financial year in June suggests increased travel by the President.
The Treasury’s supplementary budget estimates show that State House expenditure for local travel and hospitality will increase by Sh205 million to Sh965.9 million, reflecting a 21.2 percent rise.
During the launch of the universal health coverage (UHC) programme scale-up in Mombasa on Monday, the President said he would start marathon political campaigns to ensure he leaves the country in the hands of a leader who will push forward his development agenda.
“Now the time for politicking is here and you will hear from us. I’ll vote for whoever my conscience believes in as I only have one vote. But if there is one, or even two people who listen to me, I’ll not hesitate to explain my choice of a successor,” Mr Kenyatta said.In Mr Odinga’s last three runs for office in 2007, 2013 and 2017, he led his supporters to protest the outcomes in the streets or challenge them in court, saying his victories were stolen. But he called a truce with Mr Kenyatta in early 2018, effectively sidelining Deputy President Ruto.Mr Ruto is expected to run on the […]
