The government of Kenya is facing intense scrutiny after it emerged that Ksh4 billion meant for maize flour subsidies in 2022/23 was spent without parliamentary approval.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe now finds himself in the middle of a political storm. The revelations raise questions about possible misuse of public funds and point to a corruption-tainted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
This Maize Subsidy Scandal threatens to reignite heated debates over food security, political accountability, and the transparency of government spending.
Maize Subsidy Scandal shakes government finances
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural and Urban Development report has exposed serious financial lapses in the maize flour subsidy programme. According to the report, the Ksh4 billion allocated to the recurrent budget for the State Department for Crops Development was spent without being approved by Parliament during the finalisation of Supplementary Estimates 1 and 2 for FY 2022/23.
The result was an over-expenditure that reached 104.4 per cent of the recurrent budget. Development spending also suffered in subsequent years due to budget cuts and delayed appropriations. The report explicitly states that the maize flour subsidy payments to millers bypassed parliamentary sanction, a move that is now under sharp political scrutiny.
“This is not just an accounting error; it reflects governance failures at the highest levels,” a senior parliamentary official commented.
How Kagwe became entangled
Mutahi Kagwe, who is overseing Kenya’s agricultural sector now faces pressure to explain why the funds were disbursed without legislative approval. While the CS has been lauded for announcing a bumper maize harvest of 70 million 90 kg bags in 2025, critics argue that the shadow of the subsidy scandal undermines these achievements.
Kagwe’s initiatives, including direct purchases from farmers to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve, are intended to stabilize the maize market and secure national food security. The Fertiliser Subsidy Programme has delivered 21.3 million bags of fertiliser worth Ksh53.25 billion, reducing input costs for farmers by 67 per cent per 50kg bag and saving them Ksh105 billion. Despite these gains, the subsidy controversy casts doubt over the integrity of his office.
Alleged links to a corruption-tainted Gachagua
Political analysts note that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, known for his influence in maize politics, may have played a role in this financial misstep. During election campaigns, maize flour subsidies became a central political issue, with promises of affordability and accessibility driving voter sentiments. After assuming office, President William Ruto scrapped the previous Ksh6.5 billion subsidy introduced by Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.
Now, the unapproved Ksh4 billion expenditure raises questions about whether Gachagua, who maintains close ties with the agricultural sector and maize millers, influenced or benefited from the disbursements. “There is a need for a full audit to track where the money went and whether political interests were involved,” a senior economist stated.
Political implications and public outrage
The Maize Subsidy Scandal is fueling public outrage over misuse of taxpayer money. Citizens are questioning why Parliament was bypassed and whether this financial recklessness was intended to benefit certain political allies.
With the next elections approaching, political opponents are already using the scandal to attack the ruling coalition, framing it as a failure to prioritize transparency and accountability. Civil society groups have called for urgent parliamentary hearings to probe the subsidy payments and hold those responsible to account.
“The public deserves to know why billions meant to protect food security ended up in the hands of private entities without proper oversight,” said a civil society advocate.
What comes next
Mutahi Kagwe now faces a crucial test. He must clarify the rationale behind the unapproved spending and demonstrate that future programmes will respect legislative oversight. The Ministry of Agriculture has pledged to cooperate with parliamentary inquiries and implement stricter budget controls.
Meanwhile, analysts predict that the controversy could affect maize market policies, farm input subsidies, and even the political fortunes of those connected to the scandal, including Gachagua. The coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether the government can restore public trust and safeguard Kenya’s food security while ensuring accountability.
The Maize Subsidy Scandal has laid bare the risks of unchecked spending in critical sectors, making it clear that transparency is not optional when billions of taxpayer shillings are involved.
