Monday 07th September, 2026 08:08 AM|
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has accused President William Ruto’s government of wasteful spending, arguing that Kenya’s challenges are not caused by a lack of money or resources but by poor management of public finances.
Speaking during the morning breakfast show on a local TV station on Monday, September 7, 2026, Onyonka said successive governments have failed to manage the country’s resources effectively, resulting in persistent challenges despite Kenya having the capacity to finance essential services and development.
“We have always said the problem with our country is not that we don’t have the resources; we don’t have the money; we’ve said that the reason why we are having the challenges we do is that we are basically mismanaging ourselves,” Onyonka said.
Onyonka questions rising government expenditure
The Kisii senator questioned the level of government spending under Ruto, comparing it with expenditure during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“If you look at the amount of money Uhuru was spending by the time he left and you compare it with what President William Ruto has spent for the last four years he’s been president, every year there’s been an increment,” he said.
Onyonka also questioned expenditure on the refurbishment of State Lodges and the use of government helicopters, arguing that public resources should be subjected to greater scrutiny.
“Questions were asked: why are we refurbishing the State Lodge and going for such basically exuberant and unnecessary expenditure?” he said.
State House as ‘drama theatre‘
Onyonka also criticised what he described as the growing use of State House for political and empowerment events.
He argued that State House should primarily provide a setting where the President, advisers and other stakeholders discuss critical national issues and develop viable, sustainable solutions.
Instead, he said, State House had become a “drama theatre”.
“It is where you bring security officers; you hear some of them were fighting over food,” Onyonka said.
He also questioned the cost associated with bringing large groups to State House, citing events involving teachers and other groups.
Senator calls for focus on basic services
Onyonka said government spending should prioritise essential services, including water, healthcare and education.
“You are talking about water, you are talking about health, you are talking about education, the very basic things which historically all of us have been taught in school,” he said.
He argued that these basic needs should be addressed before the government focuses on broader production and economic programmes.
