Ruto’s State House Gatherings: A Multi-Million Shilling Affair as Delegates Pocket Up to Sh200,000 Each

President William Ruto’s transformation of State House into a bustling hub for delegations has raised serious questions about the astronomical costs being shouldered by Kenyan taxpayers, with some delegates reportedly walking away with as much as Sh200,000 each.

The scale of expenditure became starkly apparent this weekend when over 10,000 teachers gathered at State House, each receiving Sh10,000 for travel expenses alone – a bill totaling Sh100 million for a single event.

However, sources reveal this is merely the tip of the iceberg in what has become an expensive exercise in political engagement.

Multiple sources within government circles disclosed that delegation payments vary dramatically depending on the perceived importance of attendees.

While some participants receive modest Sh5,000 stipends, others, particularly those from politically significant regions like Mount Kenya, have pocketed between Sh20,000 and Sh50,000 each. The most valued delegates reportedly receive the maximum Sh200,000.

The financial implications are staggering. Between May 14 and June 24 alone, the Treasury released Sh3.6 billion for travels, hospitality, and meetings – funds accessed under Article 223 of the Constitution, which permits emergency spending without parliamentary approval.

Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o warned that using emergency provisions for routine engagements violated public finance rules, noting that only Sh2.3 billion of this amount received formal approval.

During this 42-day period, Ruto hosted an endless stream of visitors including diaspora representatives from 27 countries, police sports champions, county leaders, religious figures, and professional groups.

Each gathering required substantial logistical support, catering, transport arrangements, and the controversial allowances that have become synonymous with these meetings.

State House recorded the government’s highest hospitality expenditure of Sh1.1 billion in the last financial year, contributing to a total of Sh6.3 billion spent across all ministries and agencies on refreshments and hosting costs.

These figures starkly contrast with Ruto’s 2024 austerity promises made during anti-tax protests, when he pledged to slash non-essential spending including travel, hospitality, and entertainment budgets.

Critics have been scathing in their assessment. Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah described the spending as demonstrating “reckless disregard for public resources,” while rights activist Boniface Mwangi dismissed the gatherings as a “circus” where attendees are “enticed with goodies, tea, and mandazis.”

Professor Gitile Naituli of Multimedia University characterized the meetings as “paid-for” gatherings designed to influence support, comparing them to the notorious Youth for Kanu 1992 lobby group that contributed to high inflation rates through excessive spending on voter inducements.

Ruto has remained defiant against criticism, defending the practice as “people-centered governance” that makes State House accessible to ordinary citizens.

Speaking in Mombasa, he dismissed concerns about serving refreshments, asking rhetorically what else critics expected him to offer visitors.

Government insiders argue these curated meetings provide more effective engagement than traditional rallies, allowing the president to receive unfiltered feedback while building crucial political bridges ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, opposition figures and civil society groups view them as thinly veiled campaign activities funded by taxpayers.

The political undertones are unmistakable. With Deputy President Kithure Kindiki telling Murang’a delegates that their region “cannot afford to be out of government,” the meetings clearly serve dual purposes of governance and political mobilization.

As Parliament prepares to resume, several MPs have indicated intentions to audit State House spending, arguing that unchecked allocations constitute abuse of public resources.

The debate reflects broader concerns about fiscal responsibility in a country grappling with mounting debt and rising living costs.

The convoys of buses ferrying delegates to State House have become a regular sight, but questions about the true cost of this political theater continue to mount.

With each gathering potentially costing taxpayers millions of shillings, Ruto’s open-door policy may prove to be one of the most expensive political strategies in Kenya’s recent history.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​