Kenyans dismayed by government’s lavish spending on parties, cars, and curtains

People shop at the second-hand clothes section of Gikomba Market in Nairobi, on September 29, 2023. Expensive curtains, lavish garden parties, luxury cars and jet-setting lifestyles: Kenya's cash-strapped government has been on a spending spree even as austerity measures take their toll on weary citizens. (Photo by SIMON MAINA / AFP)

Kenya’s financially strained government has been indulging in opulence: from extravagant curtains to lavish garden parties and a lifestyle of luxury travel, all while imposing austerity measures that burden its citizens.

A recent report from the country’s auditor general unveiled exorbitant expenditures by the office of the deputy president, including a staggering 10.2 million shillings ($70,000) splurge on curtains and approximately $50,000 on furniture, a clear violation of procurement regulations. These revelations have understandably infuriated the public.

Moses Bett, a Kenyan teacher, expressed his frustration, highlighting how the government’s lavish spending contrasts sharply with the financial struggles faced by ordinary citizens like himself. Despite promises to curtail expenditure, President William Ruto, previously the deputy leader, is allocating substantial sums, over 1.3 billion shillings ($8.9 million), for the refurbishment of his residences and offices, contradicting his earlier pledges.

The government’s silence on the auditor general’s findings speaks volumes to citizens like hawker Sharon Mwaruma, who feel abandoned by their leaders. Ruto’s frequent foreign trips and extravagant receptions have drawn criticism, with many questioning their necessity amidst pressing domestic concerns.

Kenyans, disillusioned by decades of corruption and unfulfilled promises, feel neglected by a political elite seemingly more focused on personal gain than public welfare. Economic hardships persist, with high inflation rates and burgeoning public debt, while ordinary citizens struggle to make ends meet.

In the eyes of many like Purity Mwende, politics in Kenya seems synonymous with opportunism, benefiting only the ruling class and their kin. As the government grapples with economic challenges, the disillusionment among the populace grows, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and genuine reforms.