This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
Published on June 23, 2020, data from the Controller of Budget shows the Presidency spent Sh1.18 billion on parties and receptions in the nine months to March, a 55.6 percent jump from Sh758.2 million spent at a similar period a year earlier.
The increase comes amid an austerity push by the Treasury to cut down on non-essential spending in efforts to free up cash for development and essential services such as health and education.
At Sh1.18 billion, the Presidency entertainment budget accounted for a quarter of the Sh4.5 billion that public offices spent on parties and receptions.
Other top spenders on parties during the period were the Interior Ministry at Sh900.2 million and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which saw a 69 percent jump in its entertainment budget to Sh604.4 million.
The increases defy calls by the Treasury and President Kenyatta for cuts on non-essential spending, which was part of the austerity measures announced in September last year.
