State House Splurge: Ruto’s Advisors Cost Taxpayers Over KSh 200M
As millions of Kenyans continue to face the burden of a rising cost of living, the financial demands of sustaining State House operations are drawing increasing scrutiny. A key area of concern is the escalating expenditure on President William Ruto’s expanding team of advisors.
These advisors cover a wide range of policy areas, including economic policy, national security, climate action, and women’s rights. While their roles are intended to inform strategic presidential decisions, they come at a significant cost to the taxpayer.
For the 2025/2026 financial year, the combined budget for four key advisory offices exceeds KSh 200 million. This figure does not include salaries and allowances paid to individual advisors.
Office of the Council of Economic Advisors
This office, chaired by economist David Ndii, is projected to spend KSh 92.7 million, the highest among all advisory units. The largest allocation—KSh 37.6 million—is for rentals of produced assets. Foreign travel and subsistence will cost KSh 13.4 million, while domestic travel and transport will consume KSh 12.9 million.
Other expenditures include KSh 8.6 million for hospitality supplies, KSh 8 million for miscellaneous operating costs, and KSh 3.9 million for printing, advertising, and information supplies. Communication services are budgeted at KSh 3.7 million, general office supplies at KSh 3.3 million, and routine maintenance at KSh 1.2 million.
The council’s membership includes Moses Kuria, Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani, and Nancy Laibuni, among others.
Office of the National Security Advisor
Led by former Defence and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma, this office is allocated KSh 49.1 million. Rentals of produced assets account for KSh 22.8 million. Hospitality is allocated KSh 7.5 million, domestic travel KSh 6.3 million, and foreign travel KSh 5 million.
Additional costs include KSh 3.2 million for communication, KSh 1.8 million for office supplies, KSh 1 million for miscellaneous expenses, and KSh 833,615 for printing and advertising. Routine maintenance is budgeted at KSh 600,000. Joseph Boinett serves as Juma’s deputy.
Office of the Women Rights Advisor
Under Harriet Chiggai, this office is expected to spend KSh 45.5 million. Key allocations include KSh 11 million each for rentals and operating expenses, KSh 8.8 million for domestic travel, and KSh 4.3 million for foreign travel.
Hospitality will cost KSh 4.1 million, printing and advertising KSh 3.7 million, communication services KSh 2.1 million, and office supplies KSh 1.8 million. Maintenance is budgeted at KSh 600,000.
Office of the Council of Climate Change Advisor
This office, led by Ali Mohamed, has the lowest budget at KSh 15.2 million. The main expense is domestic travel at KSh 5.6 million, followed by KSh 4.5 million for hospitality and KSh 3.4 million for office supplies. Foreign travel is allocated KSh 1.3 million, while communication will cost KSh 425,000.
In total, these four advisory offices will consume over KSh 200 million in public funds for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. This growing expenditure raises concerns about the government’s financial priorities and calls for enhanced transparency and accountability in public spending.
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State House Splurge: Ruto’s Advisors Cost Taxpayers Over KSh 200M
