Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has strongly criticised President William Ruto’s administration for what he termed as wasteful expenditure at State House, following revelations that over Ksh800 million was spent on printing during the last financial year.
In a statement released on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, via his X account, Olekina argued that such lavish spending reflected misplaced priorities at a time when millions of Kenyans continue to grapple with the high cost of living. The senator said the funds could have been redirected toward development initiatives that directly benefit citizens, such as infrastructure projects and job creation.
“You may not like what I have to say, but I’ll say it anyway: State House lunches = waste of public funds. Bus rides, per diems and buffets don’t build roads or jobs. Mr. President, pause county visits and State House lunches for 100 days, embrace digital town halls. End the politics of plates, embrace the politics of the future,” Olekina wrote.
His remarks came shortly after Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o unveiled a report showing that the Executive Office of the President spent an average of Ksh2.2 million daily on printing during the 2024/2025 financial year. The bill, which amounted to Ksh817 million, covered the production of official documents such as executive orders, press releases, performance contracts, crisis communication materials, and invitation cards for guests hosted at State House.
Nyakang’o’s report also highlighted significant spending on advisory services. These included Ksh62 million on the Kenya–South Sudan advisory, Ksh46 million on the Power of Mercy advisory, Ksh450 million on counter-terrorism advisory services, Ksh97 million on economic and social affairs, Ksh150 million on strategic policy advice, and Ksh251 million on oversight of public entities.
Olekina insisted that the government must embrace more transparent, modern, and cost-effective approaches to governance. He urged the President to reduce extravagant state functions and instead leverage technology, such as virtual forums, to connect with citizens.
“The government must show fiscal discipline, not extravagance,” he said, stressing that symbolic events and ceremonial spending do little to address the country’s pressing economic challenges.
