In a stunning revelation, Busia Senator and 2027 presidential hopeful Okiya Omtatah has accused the Kenyan government of quietly using taxpayers’ money to fund Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Omtatah claims that a suspicious Ksh18 billion discrepancy in the Budget Policy Statement aligns with the timing of Raila’s high-profile continental campaign.
With President Ruto and Raila seen jointly lobbying African leaders, this exposé could stir political shockwaves, reigniting public scrutiny over the government’s financial transparency and Odinga’s close ties to power. Is this the real cost of Kenya’s continental ambitions?
Unmasking Budget Gaps as Omtatah Questions Raila’s AUC Funding Trail
Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah has once again stepped into the national spotlight—this time, accusing the Kenyan government of secretly funding Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid using taxpayer money.
Speaking on Spice FM, Omtatah pointed to glaring discrepancies in the 2024 Budget Policy Statement. He revealed that while the Treasury had allocated Ksh4 billion for salaries, allowances, and miscellaneous costs, the actual expenditure ballooned to Ksh22 billion. That leaves a shocking Ksh18 billion unaccounted for.
“Those figures don’t just shift like that. The allocation was clear—Ksh4.09 billion. That’s a fixed figure for consolidated fund services. Yet Ksh22 billion was paid. Where did the Ksh18 billion go?” Omtatah asked pointedly.
He linked the overspending directly to the timing of Raila’s AUC campaign, a period when both Raila and President Ruto were seen actively lobbying across Africa. According to Omtatah, this financial anomaly isn’t a coincidence—it’s a clue.
“I strongly suspect that this excess money was channeled to support Raila’s AU chairmanship. Nothing else in the budget explains it—not health, not education. Their hiring surges have separate budgets,” he said.
Omtatah’s remarks could shake Kenya’s political class. His claim doesn’t just raise questions about budget accountability—it also revives debates on the Ruto-Raila alliance, which critics say blurs the lines between opposition and government spending.
Raila Insists There Was No Ksh18B Only Transport Support from Government
Following the uproar, Raila Odinga addressed the rumors during his first public appearance after losing the AUC race on February 24. He denied claims that the campaign cost Ksh13 billion.
“Those spreading such lies don’t understand what a billion means. The government only assisted with transportation. In fact, some countries even provided accommodation,” Raila stated.
His denial, however, didn’t address Omtatah’s concern about the Ksh18 billion black hole in the budget.
No detailed financial breakdown has been released by the government, leaving room for public doubt and political speculation.
The former prime minister’s assurance hasn’t stopped Kenyans from demanding transparency. If, as Raila claims, the government didn’t spend billions on the campaign, where did the Ksh18 billion go? And why was it spent at the height of his AU bid?
