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Governors splash millions on pricey curtains, meals and chartered planes
Busia County Governor Paul Otuoma whose government spent Sh10.3 million on chartered planes.
From Vihiga’s Sh1.3 million curtains, Nyamira’s Sh15 million soft drinks, Sh5 million for beef, chicken and goat meat in Lamu, to Busia, where Sh10.3 million is being spent on chartered planes, governors are having a busy year as they allocate huge budgets for the running of their offices.
A Nation analysis, however, shows that, of the Sh14 billion allocated to governors’ offices across 43 counties where data is available, a significant portion is going to fund luxury and, in some cases, non-essential items.
VIHIGA
Governor Wilber Ottichilo addresses members of the County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee at the KICC in Nairobi in early October.
Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo and his deputy, Wilberforce Kitiezo, have been furnishing their official residences, opened last December in Endeli, Sabatia Constituency.
Master Bedroom
Total furnishings include a high-end King Bed setup, sheets, and premium entertainment system.
The Kitchen
Governor's Office
Sh310,000 boardroom chairs, a Sh325,000 18-seater conference table, and a VVIP meeting room furnished with Sh719,000 tables.
They are purchasing nine king-size beds and mattresses at a cost of Sh2.2 million, heavy-duty curtains costing over Sh1 million, sofas worth Sh2.2 million and TV stands valued at Sh450,000, among other items.
Governor Ottichilo is spending about Sh6.6 million furnishing his residence. This includes Sh938,100 for the master bedroom, Sh617,000 for a guest room, Sh687,000 for three bedrooms for children and a nanny, and Sh1.16 million for curtains.
The master bedroom will include a Sh280,000 mahogany king-size bed, a Sh70,000 mattress, a Sh50,000 bedside table, a Sh130,000 LG 65-inch television and a Sh80,000 TV stand. Additional items include bed linen, a duvet, pillows and towels.
The kitchen will be equipped with a Sh354,495 LG refrigerator, utensils worth Sh100,000, a Sh30,000 microwave, LPG gas costing Sh29,890 and a Sh88,750 cooker hood.
Curtains will cost Sh1.07 million, with accessories including holders and rods.
At the office, the governor plans to spend Sh2.5 million on furniture, including boardroom chairs worth Sh310,000, an 18-seater conference table costing Sh325,000 and a VVIP meeting room furnished at Sh719,000.
The governor’s office is expected to spend about Sh200 million in operations by June, according to budget documents.
KAKAMEGA
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.
In neighbouring Kakamega County, Governor Fernandes Barasa has allocated Sh64.8 million to entertainment, travel and food. This includes Sh12.4 million for catering services and Sh14.4 million for hiring meeting and banquet rooms.
Travel expenses include Sh17.1 million for commercial flights and Sh1.5 million for chartered planes. The office is also purchasing four chairs at a cost of Sh2.8 million, corporate uniforms worth Sh3.7 million and fuel costing Sh17 million to support local transport.
Other planned expenditures include 25 notebook computers costing Sh5.68 million, six desktop computers at Sh900,000, Sh14.4 million for newsletter services and Sh1.28 million for floor scrubbers.
Additionally, Sh409,980 has been set aside for visitor books, diaries and envelopes, while Sh566,075 will go towards office stationery such as staplers, pens and folders.
MIGORI
Migori County Governor Ochilo Ayacko when he appeared before the County Public Accounts Committee at KICC in Nairobi on Wednesday.
In Migori County, Governor Ochilo Ayacko’s budget includes Sh23 million under “Statehouse services”, similar to allocations in previous years.
This comprises Sh12.6 million for catering, accommodation, gifts, food and drinks; Sh4.2 million for field allowances; and Sh6.3 million for daily subsistence.
There is also Sh1.5 million for communication services and Sh500,000 for courier and postal services.
A new allocation of Sh5 million has been introduced for casual labour. Additional spending includes Sh1 million for uniforms and clothing, Sh1.5 million for office supplies and Sh1 million for furniture and fittings.
The Office of the Governor has an overall allocation of Sh329.5 million, projected to increase to Sh346 million in the next financial year.
NYAMIRA
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo.
While Nyamira County does not have a specific vote for the governor’s office, the county executive plans to spend Sh15 million on soft drinks, alongside Sh10.8 million for a vehicle and Sh2 million for tyres.
LAMU
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy.
In Lamu County, the executive has budgeted Sh6.8 million for food and beverages. This includes Sh1.8 million for beef, Sh1.9 million for chicken, Sh1 million for goat meat and Sh500,000 for fish.
Additional allocations include Sh150,000 for fresh juice, Sh175,000 for soft drinks and Sh75,000 for imported oranges.
BUNGOMA
Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka.
Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka’s office has allocated funds for protocol and administrative items, including Sh700,000 for mobile handsets, Sh300,000 for executive tables and Sh250,000 for side tools.
Airtime for staff is budgeted at Sh800,000 every four months. The office employs 20 drivers, five protocol officers, five communication officers and seven advisers.
The Office of the Governor has an allocation of Sh191.5 million, while the Deputy Governor’s Office has Sh39.6 million.
BUSIA
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma appears before the Senate County Public Investments Committee (CPIC), chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, at Bunge Towers in Nairobi on September 15, 2025.
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma has allocated Sh13.8 million for commercial flights and Sh10.3 million for chartered planes. Catering services will cost Sh10.6 million, while Sh4.5 million is set aside for blankets and bedsheets.
KAJIADO
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
The Office of the Governor in Kajiado has budgeted Sh8.9 million for travel on commercial airlines during the financial year, according to procurement data.
WEST POKOT
West Pokot Governor John Kachapin
In West Pokot, the Office of the Governor has allocated Sh160,000 for gas, Sh1.2 million for internet services and Sh256,800 for courier and postal services.
Catering at the governor’s residence will cost Sh5 million, while Sh500,000 has been set aside for field allowances.
KERICHO
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai.
Kericho County has set aside Sh12 million for State hospitality. An additional Sh5.4 million will go towards conferences and seminars, while Sh6.9 million is allocated to catering, gifts, food and drinks.
SIAYA
Siaya Governor James Orengo.
In Siaya County, the Office of the Governor has a budget of Sh42 million. This includes Sh1 million for “nurturing care”, Sh700,000 for air conditioners and related equipment, and Sh50,000 each for communication and postal services.
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