Wednesday, September 3, 2025 – A fresh report by the Controller of Budget (CoB), Margaret Nyakang’o, has laid bare shocking levels of alleged government extravagance, revealing that President William Ruto’s office spent an average of Ksh2.2 million daily on printing services during the 2024/2025 financial year.
This revelation comes at a time when the Head of State has consistently urged Kenyans to embrace austerity measures and tighten their belts in the wake of harsh economic times.
Breakdown of the Printing Expenditure
According to the report, out of the Ksh4 billion budget allocated to the Executive Office of the President, State House channeled Ksh817 million annually into printing-related expenses. This translates to:
- Ksh68 million every month
- Ksh2.2 million per day
The funds reportedly covered the printing of government policies, executive orders, directives, and proclamations to ministries and agencies. Other services included performance contracts, press statements, crisis communications, and materials for regional media forums.
Additionally, the report suggested that high-quality invitations and official documents prepared for frequent State House guests may have further inflated printing costs.
Other Key Expenditures in Ruto’s Office
The Controller of Budget highlighted several other major expenses within the President’s office, including:
- Ksh1.9 billion on administration, planning, and support services.
- Ksh750 million on leadership and coordination activities.
- Ksh1 billion on advisory services, with specific allocations such as:
- Ksh62 million for Kenya–South Sudan advisory services.
- Ksh46 million for Power of Mercy advisory.
- Ksh97 million for Economic and Social Affairs advisory.
- Ksh150 million for strategic policy advisory.
- Ksh251 million for oversight of public entities.
- Ksh765 million for leadership and coordination support.
The report also disclosed that Ksh399 million was spent on refurbishing the President’s office, with construction and renovations at 66% completion. Overall, refurbishments within State House have already consumed over Ksh1.2 billion, with completion expected by 2027.
Public Reaction and Accountability Concerns
The report has triggered heated debate among Kenyans, with many questioning why such colossal sums are being directed towards printing and renovations while ordinary citizens face high taxes, rising cost of living, and stalled development projects.
Analysts argue that unless stringent expenditure controls are enforced, such revelations will continue to cast doubt on the government’s commitment to financial discipline and its much-publicized war on wastage and corruption.
