The Office of the Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, is facing scrutiny over its expenditure on helicopter rides and hospitality, with pending bills amounting to Ksh.478 million owed to suppliers and service providers for the financial year 2024/25.

According to documents presented in parliament, the office has spent Ksh.100 million on helicopter services and is seeking an additional Ksh.350 million for hospitality, bringing the total allocation for these purposes to Ksh.873 million.

“Kindiki is also involved in public gatherings as part of President Ruto’s vision to unite the nation around key national issues. This Office therefore, needs to facilitate these meetings,” said Moses Mbaruku, Principal Secretary, Office of the Deputy President, in defense of the expenses.

However, lawmakers have questioned the justification for these expenses, arguing that the office should prioritize its spending.

“The amount being spent on hospitality is huge. What justifies this large amount?” asked MP Buyu, echoing concerns over the perceived extravagance.

The scrutiny comes amid calls for fiscal discipline and austerity measures, with critics arguing that such spending undermines public trust.

The Office of the Deputy President has been allocated Ksh.3.2 billion for the financial year, with Ksh.250.45 million spent on travel expenses in the first six months.

As the debate rages on, Kindiki’s office is expected to provide detailed explanations for the expenditures, with lawmakers demanding transparency and accountability.

The outcome of this scrutiny is likely to have significant implications for the Office of the Deputy President’s future spending plans.