The Office of the Deputy President has reportedly exceeded its allocated budget by 50 percent in just the first three months of the fiscal year, according to lawyer Willis Otieno.
The office spent Sh1.1 billion against an allocation of Sh743 million, a development that has drawn criticism over fiscal management and public accountability.
Otieno highlighted the spending in a statement posted on social media platform X, questioning the value delivered by the office relative to its costs.
“For an office that produces nothing, solves nothing, and spends its days in political theatre, this is a cash-burning festival at the expense of a starving country,” he said, emphasizing the stark contrast with Kenya’s economic pressures.
The lawyer also noted the wider national context, pointing to shortages in hospitals, underfunded universities, and rising living costs for ordinary citizens.
He warned that if such trends persist throughout the year, the expenditure could become unsustainable, likening it to a “runaway train with no brakes.”
Budgetary allocations for government offices in Kenya are designed to ensure resources are spent according to approved priorities.
Overspending beyond these limits typically requires justification to Parliament and may prompt audits or scrutiny from oversight bodies.
Otieno’s statement underscores concerns over transparency and adherence to these mechanisms.
Officials from the Deputy President’s office have not issued a response to the claims as of now.
National Treasury reports for the first quarter of the fiscal year are expected to provide official confirmation of expenditures and any justifications for deviations from the approved budget.
This issue arises amid heightened public attention to government spending.
Otieno framed the alleged overspending as a matter of mismanagement rather than state transformation, calling for stronger oversight of public funds.