The Kenyan Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has drawn public criticism for reportedly allocating Sh12 million to First Lady Margaret Kenyatta's Beyond Zero Marathon in 2019, despite staff members experiencing extended periods without salary payments.
The initiative, launched five years prior by the First Lady, focuses on enhancing maternal healthcare. However, some Kenyans argue that public funds should suffice for healthcare needs, with allegations that the campaign masks broader financial mismanagement. A social media post detailed a 30-year KBC employee's struggle, stating she has not received wages or pension payments despite continued employment.
A tweet from March 9, 2019, highlighted the contradiction: "My mom has worked at KBC for 30 years. She wakes up every day to go to work and does not get paid her salary. She can't retire because KBC can't pay her pension either." This statement amplified public frustration over the state broadcaster's financial practices.
The marathon faced cancellation in 2018 amid social media backlash, but the 2019 donation reignited debates about transparency in public spending. KBC has not issued an official response to the allegations, leaving its financial status unclear.
The Kenyan Daily Post, 2012
