Nominated MP John Mbadi has strongly criticized President William Ruto’s administration for what he perceives as a misallocation of public funds in maintaining the offices of First Lady Rachel Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi.
Since 2022, Mrs. Ruto’s Office of the First Lady has focused on initiatives involving religion and women’s economic empowerment, operating under a strategy termed ‘faith diplomacy’.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Rigathi, who was a pastor before her husband Rigathi Gachagua became the deputy president, has overseen programs under the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President aimed at empowering young men facing challenges like drug and substance abuse, termed ‘boychild empowerment’.
For the upcoming financial year starting July 2024, both offices have been allocated a total of Ksh. 1.2 billion, with Mrs. Ruto’s office receiving Ksh. 696.6 million and Mrs. Rigathi’s office receiving Ksh. 557.5 million.
However, Mbadi argues that the government’s decision to allocate significant public funds to these offices is misguided, particularly at a time when Kenyans are grappling with a high cost of living. He asserts that the religious and leadership roles taken on by Mrs. Ruto and Mrs. Rigathi are unnecessary and not a priority for the nation.
“What is the priority? You are creating the office of the First Lady and the wife of the Deputy President and giving them money to go and pray across the country? We have enough pastors and evangelists!” Mbadi told Citizen TV’s Daybreak program on Tuesday.
“We don’t need the president’s and deputy president’s wife to preach to us; that is not a priority. If they want to, let them do it without involving our taxes.”
The nominated MP criticised Ruto for urging Kenyans to ‘tighten their belts’ over increased taxation as his government spends money on projects like the Ksh.11 billion renovation of all State Houses and State Lodges.
“The problem with our expenditure is not salaries but operations and maintenance. That is why the youth are in the streets telling us we cannot claim to be tightening our belts as you tax us, yet you are renovating all State Houses at a go,” Mbadi added.
