Kenya’s Treasury has increased the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s budget from Sh20 billion to Sh21.1 billion, adding Sh1.1 billion to cover various expenses. One of the major reasons for this increase is the unsuccessful bid by Raila Odinga for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
This raises concerns about how public funds are being used, especially when taxpayers are already burdened with high living costs.
The decision to allocate extra money to the Foreign Affairs Ministry comes at a time when Kenya is struggling with a high debt load and an overstretched budget.
The government has been urging citizens to tighten their belts while at the same time increasing spending on matters that do not directly benefit the public. Raila Odinga’s campaign for the AUC position was presented as a national interest, but in the end, it did not succeed.
This means that taxpayer money was used without bringing any real returns to the country. There has been little transparency on how much was spent on Raila’s campaign.
The government has not provided a detailed breakdown of the costs involved, yet it is clear that millions of shillings went into diplomatic efforts, lobbying, and foreign trips.
Many officials, including President William Ruto, traveled extensively across Africa to campaign for Raila, using government resources. This raises questions about accountability and whether such expenditures were justified.
Beyond Raila’s campaign, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has been criticized for unnecessary spending. The additional Sh1.1 billion is said to cover various expenses, but the government has not clarified what these expenses are.
There have been cases where ministries inflate budgets under the guise of operational costs, only for the money to be misused or end up in personal accounts.
Without transparency, there is no way for Kenyans to know whether this money will serve its intended purpose or simply be wasted. The government’s priorities have come under scrutiny because of such budget increases.
While essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure remain underfunded, more money is being directed toward diplomatic efforts that have not yielded much success.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry plays an important role in representing Kenya on the international stage, but its budget should reflect the country’s economic reality.
Many Kenyans are struggling with high taxes, fuel prices, and job losses, yet the government continues to increase spending without clear justification.
The failed AUC bid is just one example of how political ambitions can drain public resources. Instead of focusing on projects that directly benefit citizens, the government is using taxpayers’ money to finance campaigns with uncertain outcomes.
If Raila had won the position, Kenya might have gained some diplomatic influence, but there were no guarantees. Now that the bid has failed, there is little to show for the money that was spent.
This situation highlights the need for stricter oversight on government spending. Parliament and independent watchdogs should demand full accountability for how the additional Sh1.1 billion will be used.
Kenyans deserve to know whether their taxes are being spent wisely or wasted on projects that do not benefit them. If such expenditures continue without proper justification, it will only add to the growing frustration among Kenyans who feel that their government is not acting in their best interests.
At a time when the government is imposing new taxes and reducing subsidies on basic commodities, it is unfair for public funds to be used on failed diplomatic missions.
The focus should be on improving the economy, creating jobs, and addressing the rising cost of living. If the government cannot manage its budget responsibly, then ordinary Kenyans will continue to suffer while a few individuals benefit from questionable spending decisions.
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