By Peter Ochieng
Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has addressed reports of seeking for Sh2.6 billion for renovations in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Documents before the National Assembly’s departmental committee on administration and internal affairs, indicate that part of the money will be channeled towards the refurbishment of his Harambee Annex office and his official Karen residence.
According to the documents, Sh1.12 billion will be for refurbishment while the remaining Sh1.48 billion will be put to use as follows: Sh200 million for the acquisition of motor vehicles, Sh250 million for the implementation of an alcohol drugs and substance abuse program, Sh250 million for the purchase of medals, honours, and badges and Sh800 million for confidential expenditure, among others.
Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo who chairs the committee wondered why Sh250 million was needed for the purchase of medals, honours and insignia.
“Are we not becoming extravagant when we know very well the situation of this country?” he posed.
In a rejoinder, the second in command has denied reports that his office has put in a request for Sh2.6 billion, at the time when thousands of Kenyans have been left homeless as a result of floods.
In a statement, the DP said that he had only asked for Sh300 million for the renovations.
The renovations he said, would include his office and official residences in Karen and Mombasa. Gachagua stated that his office in Nairobi, and the Mombasa residence had not been neglected in over 15 years.
“A request for Sh300 million for the renovation of the Harambee House Annex Office, Official Residence in Karen and the Official Residence in Mombasa. The Harambee House Annex Office and Mombasa Residence have been neglected over 15 years affecting critical areas of habitability, safety and security.”
Additionally, he said he only requested for Sh100 million for new vehicles.
“For the last 10 years, the Office of The Deputy President has heavily relied on old, and refurbished vehicles which are costly to maintain, compromising service delivery.”
This comes as several Principal Secretaries continue expressing reservations over reduced allocations in the 2024/2025 budgetary estimates.