NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto’s administration of using the newly tabled 2025/26 Supplementary Budget to facilitate what he described as a “looting spree” of public funds.
In a statement posted on social media, Gachagua alleged that the government was positioning itself to siphon Ksh6.2 billion through allocations to key State institutions, including State House, the Office of the Deputy President, the State Department for Internal Security and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
According to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, the funds are being channelled through expenditure items listed under maintenance, operations, other operating expenses and security-related activities.
“The money is to be drawn in cash through votes disguised as maintenance and operations, other operating expenses and security operations,” Gachagua claimed.
He further alleged that the funds could be used for political activities, including influencing voters, financing political operatives and supporting upcoming electoral contests.
“This is money for bribing voters, paying goons, buying MPs and Senators, counter-productive empowerment programmes and the Ol Kalou by-election,” he said.
Criticism amid economic pressures
Gachagua criticised the proposed spending increases at a time when many Kenyans continue to face economic hardships and public institutions struggle with funding constraints.
He argued that essential sectors such as healthcare and education remain under pressure despite the government’s plans to increase expenditure.
“This is happening when hospitals have no drugs, cancer patients are in deep pain, our students have no capitation, university and college students have no funding,” he said.
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His remarks come as the government faces growing scrutiny over public spending and concerns about the country’s rising debt burden, cost of living and potential tax measures expected in the 2026/27 financial year.
What the supplementary budget proposes
The National Treasury’s Supplementary Budget II proposes an increase of Ksh17.29 billion in government spending, pushing total expenditure for the 2025/26 financial year to approximately Ksh4.6 trillion.
Under the proposals:
- The Sports Department is set to receive an additional Ksh4.1 billion, raising its allocation to Ksh29.26 billion.
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will receive an extra Ksh3.8 billion, increasing their allocation to Ksh12 billion.
- The National Intelligence Service will receive an additional Ksh3.5 billion, bringing its budget to Ksh64.9 billion.
- State House is earmarked for an extra Ksh1 billion, increasing its allocation to Ksh18.54 billion.
- The Office of the Deputy President is set to receive an additional Ksh200 million, raising its budget to Ksh5.3 billion.
- The education sector will receive an extra Ksh1.5 billion, bringing its allocation to Ksh132.6 billion.
The Treasury has argued that the adjustments are intended to accommodate emerging expenditure needs and support government programmes during the current financial year.
Political debate expected
The supplementary budget is expected to trigger debate in Parliament, with opposition figures and government critics likely to question the rationale behind increased allocations to certain offices and security agencies.
The government has not publicly responded to Gachagua’s allegations, which remain political claims. Any budget changes will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and approval before implementation.
As debate over public spending intensifies, the proposed budget adjustments are likely to become another flashpoint in the increasingly bitter political rivalry between Gachagua and President Ruto.
