Expensive curtains, lavish receptions, a significant budget for the purchase of cars: members of the Kenyan government, who are cutting corners and increasing taxes, have embarked on a spending spree that is perceived by the population as ostentatious.
A report released last month by the auditor in charge of public funds found that the vice president's office spent about 10.2 million shillings (about $96,000) on curtains and nearly $67,000 on furniture.
According to the auditor, these expenditures are “unlawful” as they contradict public procurement rules.
The government did not comment or respond to queries from AFP.
These revelations sparked outrage in the East African country, which has suffered economic difficulties and faced numerous tax increases since the election of President William Ruto in August 2022.
The authorities “cut my budget and spent the money on drinks and dinner,” protests Moses Bett, a teacher in the capital Nairobi.
Kenya, an East African economic powerhouse where corruption is a recurring issue and which was just placed on the anti-money laundering body FATF's “enhanced surveillance” gray list, is facing a mountain of debt and significant inflation.
“Into the Red”
“I’m in the red,” notes Moses Bett, 32, father of two children, disappointedly and pats his empty trouser pockets. “It is becoming more difficult every day to provide for my family with the rest of my salary.”
At his inauguration, William Ruto, who was previously vice president, promised to cut public spending and said the country was living “beyond its means”.
The businessman-turned-politician, who is considered one of the richest men in the country and has campaigned to help the poorest, still plans to spend more than 1.3 billion shillings (more than $12 million) to renovate his to issue eight official residences.
The presidential offices at State House in Nairobi, built a century ago, are being renovated at a cost of more than 700 million shillings (US$6.4 million).
Another expense highlighted: the 800 million shillings ($7 million) budget allocated for the purchase of vehicles last year.
“It seems like they have forgotten us […] as soon as they came to power,” laments Sharon Mwaruma, a street vendor.
“Get rich quick”
According to Treasury figures, William Ruto spent more than 1.49 billion shillings ($13.8 million) on receptions and parties in the first six months of his presidency.
His numerous trips abroad have also come under criticism.
According to Kenyan newspaper The Standard, which describes Mr Ruto as “the flying president”, the 57-year-old has spent every fifth day outside Kenya and visited 38 countries since taking office.
For his part, Mr Ruto defended his travels as an integral part of his role.
“I don’t travel as a tourist. I plan the affairs of Kenya,” he said in December.
An argument that is hardly convincing in a country where previous governments have also been accused of mismanagement.
“The leaders don’t care about us. But we chose her,” says Judith Kamau, a cook in a restaurant.
And there are voices claiming that the government's economic measures have done little to improve the daily lives of the population.
Inflation was 6.9% in January. The International Monetary Fund warned that things could get worse in the first half of the year.
And Kenya's debt is nearly $95 billion, or more than 67% of gross domestic product.
The shilling hit its historic low against the dollar at the start of the year before recovering in recent weeks.
Despite this slight improvement, Purity Mwende, who is unemployed, has no hope from the government.
“In Kenya, politics is just a way to get rich quick,” explains the 26-year-old. “Only their families benefit.”