Deputy President Kithure Kindiki alighting from a Kenya Air Force plane.
Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki spent Sh153.6 million on helicopter trips across the country within 75 days in a year, according to documents from his office submitted to Parliament.
This comes just days after MPs unanimously approved an additional Sh450 million for the Office of the Deputy President (ODP) under supplementary estimates I for the 2025/26 financial year, earmarked for hospitality and helicopter hire expenses.
The documents, which include responses to audit queries on the accounts of his office for the 2023/24 financial year, were presented to the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by Principal Administrative Secretary (PAS) Moses Mbaruku.
The responses supported by annexures show that Kenyans also spent Sh117.3 million on catering services, Sh80.24 million on tent hire and décor services and Sh40.4 million on food expenses including dry foodstuff, meat, vegetables and cabbages for the DP’s office.
Paradoxically, the increased helicopter hire costs come at a time when President William Ruto has announced austerity measures in government expenditure as the Kenya Revenue Authority continues to miss revenue targets by a wide margin amid rising public debt.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki speaks at Marigat High School grounds on Saturday, August 16, 2025 during a women empowerment drive.
Mr Mbaruku made the disclosures as PAC members led by Rarieda MP Dr Otiende Amollo questioned expenditures including at least Sh8 million spent on helicopter hire in a single day on two separate occasions.
“I am worried about the expenses on helicopter hire services. Is it reasonable that we spend Sh8 million in a single day on helicopter trips? Is it even practicable?” posed Dr Amollo.
The ODP documents do not specify the nature of the activities the Deputy President was engaged in during the helicopter trips.
However, the timing of the excursions coincides with preparations for the November 27 2025, by-elections in at least 24 electoral areas, including seven parliamentary seats and several wards where President Ruto’s UDA party was keen to secure victories.
The vacant positions included the Baringo Senate seat and National Assembly seats in Banissa Kasipul Magarini Malava Mbeere North and Ugunja constituencies.
For instance, the documents show that on June 25 2025, the DP spent Sh8.2 million in a single day on helicopter hire for trips covering Chepsaita Eldoret Kipkaren Kisii Webuye Bomet and Baringo.
The DP is also reported to have spent Sh8.1 million on another occasion for trips covering Tharaka-Nithi, Laikipia, Isiolo and Kitui counties.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses congregants during a Sunday service at Maemba AIC Church in Soin Sigowet Constituency, Kericho County, on January 25, 2026.
On July 2 2025, the DP incurred Sh6.9 million on helicopter trips covering Isiolo, Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Voi and Kanyuambora in Embu County.
On February 24 2025, he spent Sh4.1 million on helicopter services in Mombasa and Kilifi counties, with payment made on September 22 2025.
On February 20 2025, Sh3.8 million was spent on trips covering Magarini, Malindi, Voi, and Taita. The amount was also settled on September 22 2025.
Other notable expenditures include Sh3.45 million incurred on November 30 2025, for trips covering Embu, Tharaka Nanyuki, Bomachoge, Kisumu and Homa Bay and Sh3.3 million spent on February 27 2025, for trips in Mombasa and Uasin Gishu counties.
Another Sh3.1 million was incurred on March 1 2025, for trips covering Bachuma Endau, Narok, Rongai and Maasai Mara. The DP also spent Sh3 million on December 7–8 2024, for trips in Chepsaita, Kipkaren, Eldoret and Kilgoris with payment made on September 15 2025.
Dr Amollo questioned why DP did not use Kenya Airways instead of incurring high helicopter costs.
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