Kenya's government hospitality spending rose to Sh11.72 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, an increase of nearly Sh5.4 billion, according to the Eastleigh Voice. The surge comes despite President William Ruto's austerity measures and stated efforts to curb non-essential expenditure. The report highlights a contrast between the administration's cost-cutting pledges and the near-doubling of hospitality costs during the same period.

State House spending in Kenya reached a record Ksh 18.55 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year, more than double its initial parliamentary allocation of Ksh 8.5 billion, according to a budget implementation report from the Controller of Budget. The report shows Ksh 6.73 billion was classified under "other expenses," a category typically reserved for funds outside standard vote classifications, despite President William Ruto's earlier pledge to eliminate confidential votes.

Kenya's government under President William Ruto has spent Sh364 billion through emergency provisions over four years, according to the Eastleigh Voice. Over the four years to June 2026, the government sought to withdraw Sh522.79 billion via the emergency spending provision, but Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o declined to approve requests totalling Sh158.6 billion. The figures highlight the scale of reliance on emergency withdrawals, which bypass standard budget approval processes, and the oversight role played by the Controller of Budget in rejecting part of the requests.

Kenya's Controller of Budget has reported that State House spent Sh18.55 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, roughly double its approved allocation, according to a Kenya Insights report. The review indicates that more than a third of the spending, about Ksh 6.73 billion, was classified under a heading that cannot be audited, prompting criticism over transparency and accountability in the presidency's expenditure.

A new study reported by the Eastleigh Voice suggests that President William Ruto's bid for a second term could make Kenya's 2027 general election more expensive than previous polls. According to the report, the approved election budget fell from about Sh65 billion in 2017 to Sh47 billion in 2022, while actual spending dropped from Sh54 billion to Sh36 billion over the same period. The study raises questions about how a competitive incumbent re-election campaign may affect overall polling costs.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi defended the budget allocation for renovations at State House, stating that the building has been neglected for years. He addressed criticism regarding the spending by emphasizing the broader responsibilities of the presidency and the need to restore key government facilities. Mbadi noted that parts of State House are deteriorating, with leaks that he deemed embarrassing for a nation that frequently hosts international dignitaries.