As ordinary Kenyans face crushing inflation, State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito has shocked Parliament with revelations that the Presidency blew Sh369 million (approx. $2.8m) on food and drinks across just three events.

In a staggering display of executive extravagance, parliamentary records indicate that President William Ruto's official residence spent a mind-boggling Sh123 million on catering during public holidays alone.

This blatant fiscal indiscipline comes at a time when the Treasury is aggressively hiking taxes and cutting critical public services. The stark contrast between the government's austerity preaching and its gluttonous practice highlights a deep, systemic disconnect between the ruling elite and the struggling masses.

The Anatomy of Extravagance

Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Comptroller Katoo ole Metito attempted to defend the budget. He cited the high volume of state guests, foreign dignitaries, and public attendees hosted at the house on the hill.

However, auditors and civil society groups are raising massive red flags over the procurement processes. State House's catering business has historically been a lucrative, opaque enterprise shrouded in secrecy and immune to standard public finance scrutiny.

A Nation of Contradictions

• The Sh369 million spent on three buffets could fully fund several struggling county health departments for an entire fiscal year.
• Essential commodities like cabbages have seen a 43.4% price hike, making basic nutrition unaffordable for millions.
• The government is simultaneously proposing to shift over a million civil servants to contractual terms to "save money."

The optics of the President hosting multi-million shilling banquets while pushing citizens into deeper poverty is politically explosive. It severely undermines the administration's credibility when negotiating with labor unions over wage increments.

Opposition leaders have immediately seized on the scandal, framing it as undeniable proof of an out-of-touch, elite-captured presidency. It provides perfect ammunition for the rising anti-government sentiment coalescing across the country.

Demanding Accountability

The Auditor General has been urged to conduct a forensic lifestyle audit of the suppliers awarded these astronomical catering tenders. Kenyans deserve to know exactly who is profiting from these exorbitant state-sponsored feasts.

If austerity is the new national anthem, the music must start playing at State House first. Public resources are a public trust, not a slush fund for executive luxury.

"A government that preaches water to the masses cannot afford to be caught drinking vintage wine behind the gates of power."