The Office of the Council of Economic Advisors, led by economist David Ndii, has been allocated Ksh92,772,156 — one of the highest figures among the advisory offices.

Following closely is the Office of the Economic Transformation, earmarked for Ksh98,551,934, underscoring the administration’s focus on long-term economic planning.

The Office of the National Security Advisor, headed by Monica Juma, was allocated Ksh49,135,939, while the Office of the Women’s Rights Advisor received Ksh45,469,118, highlighting continued investment in gender-focused policy development.

The Office of the Council of Climate Change Advisor was assigned Ksh15,192,323, reflecting modest but notable attention to environmental and climate concerns.

Meanwhile, the Office of the State House Spokesperson, currently led by Hussein Mohamed, was allocated Ksh16,982,500.

In addition to these advisories, the Treasury has projected Ksh894,906,667 for refurbishment and maintenance works across multiple State House lodges, including the main Nairobi complex and various regional residences.

Breakdown of the allocations includes:

• State House Nairobi: Ksh680,706,667
• Eldoret State Lodge: Ksh60.15 million
• Mombasa State House: Ksh42.5 million
• Nakuru State House: Ksh25 million
• Kakamega State Lodge: Ksh25 million
• Kisumu State Lodge: Ksh24.05 million
• State House Sagana: Ksh15 million
• Kisii State Lodge: Ksh12.5 million

The budget allocations signal a strong emphasis on both advisory support for President William Ruto and the enhancement of presidential infrastructure across Kenya.

While the government maintains that these figures reflect operational necessities and long-term policy support, the allocations have sparked renewed public interest in the cost of governance and executive spending priorities.

The Kenyan government has reassured citizens that maize flour prices will remain stable, even as local stocks dwindle and market pressures intensify.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe emphasized that the country’s strategic grain reserves are adequate to cushion the market, calming fears of a possible surge in Unga prices.

“There should be no panic about the price of Unga going up, it is not going to go up,” Kagwe said. “We are going to ensure it doesn’t go up by releasing the strategic grain reserves that we have.”

5.5 Million Bags of Yellow Maize to Be Imported

To supplement the current supply and ease the burden on white maize — which has surged in price by 26.47% since December 2024 — the government has authorized the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize.

A key part of the plan includes a 50% import duty waiver for at least one year, aimed at reducing costs for millers and ultimately shielding consumers from rising food prices.

“The government has authorised the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize to help stabilise the price of Unga and cushion consumers from rising food costs,” said a government spokesperson.

Millers Blame High Prices on Tight Supply, Feed Industry Demand

Despite these measures, millers are sounding the alarm, citing low domestic maize stocks and fierce competition from animal feed manufacturers as major stressors on supply chains. Many millers are reportedly operating at reduced capacity due to limited access to affordable grain.

To meet demand, some have turned to imports from neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, but cross-border grain flows remain inconsistent and costly.

Retail Unga Prices Climb to 14-Month High

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the average retail price of a 2kg packet of fortified maize flour rose to Sh169.41 in April 2025, up from Sh165.05 in March — a 2.64% increase in just one month.

This represents the highest price point since February 2024, when a similar packet went for Sh172.75. On a broader scale, households are now paying Sh24.77 more per packet compared to October 2024, reflecting a 17.13% year-on-year rise.

Industry Struggles Persist

With input costs rising and margins shrinking, industry stakeholders say cash flow is tight, and warn of potential disruptions if grain availability does not improve. Some mills have already scaled down production, awaiting further government intervention or improved domestic harvests.

Bottom Line:
While the government’s release of strategic reserves and import incentives aim to stabilize the maize flour market, experts warn that supply bottlenecks and external pressures could continue to challenge price stability in the coming months.

President William Ruto has firmly defended his decision to appoint former opposition figures John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi to senior Cabinet positions, responding to mounting criticism over their political affiliations.

Speaking in Migori on Monday, May 5, Ruto acknowledged that some Kenyans were unhappy with the appointments, as both men had opposed his presidential bid. However, the President emphasized that leadership must transcend political divisions and serve the interests of all citizens.

“Some people are angry with me, asking why I appointed John Mbadi as the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and Opiyo Wandayi as the CS for Energy and Petroleum, yet they never voted for me. My response is simple: the government of Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, both those who voted and those who didn’t,” Ruto stated.

Appointments Spark Political Debate

The controversial appointments were announced in July 2024, shortly after widespread nationwide protests against the 2024 Finance Bill. Ruto’s move was widely interpreted as an effort to de-escalate political tensions and build a more inclusive government.

Both Mbadi and Wandayi previously served as Minority Leaders in the National Assembly, making their elevation to Cabinet positions a historic turn of events in Kenyan politics.

Wandayi, the Member of Parliament for Ugunja, formally assumed office on August 8, 2024, after securing approval from the National Assembly.

In his acceptance remarks, Wandayi expressed deep gratitude to both President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga:

“Thank you, President William Ruto, for nominating me to the position of CS, Energy and Petroleum. It will be a great honor and privilege to serve my country in this new capacity. My gratitude to Baba Raila Odinga for his enduring mentorship and tutelage.”

Calls for Collaboration and Accountability

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula urged the newly appointed Cabinet Secretaries to remain accessible and collaborative with Members of Parliament.

“I will be the saddest Speaker in the history of Kenya to hear from MPs that you cannot open the doors for them, take their calls, or attend to the issues they bring to you. Go out there and set the pace. Mentor those who have not had the opportunity to come to this House,” Wetang’ula said.

Building a Broad-Based Government

President Ruto has described the appointments as part of his broader mission to form a unified, broad-based government that includes leaders from across Kenya’s political spectrum.

“The formation of this broad-based government that brings together former political rivals into one selfless patriotic team will unlock the potential of our country that has long been denied us by factional and sectarian competition.

While competition is good, there is a moment when the interest of the nation is greater than the interest of a political formation. That is why I have reached out across the aisle to bring onboard the knowledge, expertise and experience of deserving Kenyans, though belonging to a different political formation,” the President stated.

With these appointments, Ruto signals a strategic shift toward national cohesion and inclusive governance, even as critics question the political implications of bringing opposition leaders into the heart of his administration.

The fund, established in 2012 to help internally displaced persons (IDPs), squatters, and landless families, now stands accused of mismanagement, wasteful spending, and failing to fulfill its core mandate more than a decade later.

Idle Land, Forgotten People

The Auditor General’s November 2024 audit found that multiple high-value land parcels, purchased specifically for resettlement, remain idle and undeveloped.

Among the properties is the Kisima Njoro land in Nakuru, bought in 2012 for Sh396.9 million to house victims of the 2007–08 post-election violence. Twelve years on, the land is neither surveyed nor subdivided, and no beneficiaries have been resettled.

“At the time of audit in November 2024, the land had not been surveyed or subdivided, and the beneficiaries had not been settled,” Gathungu noted.

Additional dormant parcels include:

• Mikanjuni Farm in Kilifi, purchased in 2020 for Sh377 million, with beneficiaries identified but not settled.
• Mazrui Farm, acquired in 2022 for Sh445.4 million, only partially distributed.
• Kadza Ndani plot in Mombasa, bought for Sh378 million in 2020, still awaiting settlement of informal occupants.

“In the circumstances, the objective for which the parcels were acquired and value for money had not been achieved,” the report emphasizes.

Chronic Mismanagement and Ignored Recommendations

The audit sharply criticizes the persistent governance failures within the fund. Despite multiple past recommendations from the Auditor General’s office, management failed to act, allowing longstanding issues to persist unchecked.

“The issues still remained unresolved and management did not provide explanation for the failure to implement recommendations,” the report states.

Critically, the fund operates without any approved framework to identify, assess, or mitigate legal, financial, or operational risks. This lack of internal controls leaves billions in taxpayer money at risk of further misuse.

Unrecovered Debt and Ballooning Interest

The audit also reveals a troubling financial burden: Sh6.6 billion in historical loans dating back to 1962 remain unrecovered. Even worse, accrued interest has added another Sh5 billion, yet no tracking or recovery system is in place.

“Management did not have a clear policy on evaluation and management of accounts receivable,” Gathungu said, adding that the fund has made no provision for bad debts, a major red flag in financial management.

A Mandate Unfulfilled

Overall, the audit paints a damning picture of an institution that has not only failed to resettle landless Kenyans but also squandered public resources in the process.

As thousands of IDPs and landless families continue to wait in limbo, the Land Settlement Fund’s credibility hangs in the balance, with renewed calls for accountability and reform.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has raised alarm over widespread land rate defaults by city landowners, warning that continued non-payment is severely undermining the county’s revenue and threatening the delivery of essential public services.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday, April 24, Sakaja revealed that out of 250,000 registered land parcels in Nairobi, only 50,000 owners are currently paying their land rates.

“The biggest revenue earner in a city is property taxes. In Nairobi, we have 250,000 pieces of land, but only 50,000 landowners are paying land rates. That is not sustainable,” the governor stated.

He emphasized that the growing financial strain is making it difficult for the county to meet the needs of its expanding population, and issued a stern warning to defaulters.

Waiver Extension and Enforcement

To offer a final reprieve before enforcement begins, the governor announced the extension of the land rates waiver until April 30, giving property owners a last opportunity to clear their arrears without incurring penalties.

“We’ve extended the waiver to 30th April. Now that we have complete data on the 250,000 properties, it’s time to collect what is due so that we can deliver services as a county. We’ve given enough time—going forward, we shall enforce,” Sakaja said.

Clamping of Buildings on the Table

The county may soon begin clamping properties of defaulters as per existing laws, though Sakaja expressed hope that such drastic measures would be unnecessary.

“Buildings can be clamped. It’s within the law. We would not want to get there. Let’s all take charge. Let’s not leave a small percentage of landowners carrying the heavy luggage of land rates,” he warned.

Revenue and County Services at Risk

Land rates account for about 25% of Nairobi County’s own-source revenue, making them the single largest revenue stream. The county relies on six primary sources for funding public services: land rates, parking fees, business permits, house rent, building permits, and advertising licenses.

However, the increasing rate of default is threatening the county’s financial health.

“Nairobi’s own-source revenue is the backbone of service delivery. When landowners don’t pay, the entire city suffers—from garbage collection and road maintenance to health and housing,” a county finance official noted.

Public Housing and Waiver Policy

In addition to land rate revenue, the county owns about 17,000 housing units in areas like Maringo, Uhuru, Kaloleni, Jericho, and Kariobangi South, with monthly rents ranging from KES 2,000 to KES 20,000.

Any rent waivers granted must be reported to the County Assembly and published in the Kenya Gazette within 14 days, in line with the Nairobi City County Waiver Administration Act of 2013.

As the April 30 waiver deadline approaches, residents and property owners have been urged to regularize their payments or risk punitive action.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has formally withdrawn a longstanding legal petition filed in 2015 against former President Uhuru Kenyatta and current President William Ruto over the controversial Eurobond deal.

In a statement issued on Thursday, April 24, Omtatah explained that the decision to withdraw the petition was based on tactical considerations following technical objections raised in court.

“After consultations and given the technical objections raised by the court, it has become untenable to proceed with this petition in the manner that it was. So we have withdrawn it tactically to avoid the cascading disaster that was before us,” said Omtatah.

Despite the withdrawal, the Senator made it clear that the legal battle is far from over. He insisted that Kenya still has “no debt” and confirmed that the petition would be refiled immediately—this time avoiding the technical hurdles that led to the initial withdrawal.

“However, we are going to refile the same immediately so that we can avoid all those technicalities that were being placed in our way like minefields,” he added.

The original petition, filed in 2015 by Omtatah and Nyakina Wycliffe, accused Kenyatta and Ruto of violating various laws concerning the handling of proceeds from the Eurobond raised that year. The case revolved around allegations that a portion of the funds was misappropriated and deposited in offshore accounts, in breach of the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act of 2012.

“It is their case that the above-mentioned money was raised for the 2014/15 fiscal year and that USD2 billion of that amount was borrowed for infrastructure development and to repay a syndicated loan owed by the Government in December 2014,” read part of the initial petition.

The petitioners further alleged that an additional USD750 million obtained via Eurobond “Tap Sales” in December 2014 was meant for infrastructure projects but was mishandled.

“They aver that the funds were illegally and unlawfully deposited in an offshore account instead of being deposited into the Consolidated Fund as required by the Constitution and the Public Finance Act,” the court filing stated.

They also claimed the offshore account was not authorized by the Controller of Budget, thereby violating Kenya’s public finance laws.

Senator Omtatah has built a reputation for championing public interest litigation, and his renewed commitment to the case signals continued scrutiny over Kenya’s public debt and financial accountability.

Kenya and Ethiopia have signed a landmark bilateral agreement aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through a simplified trade regime. The move marks a significant milestone in regional integration and cross-border commerce.

The agreement was formalised in Mombasa during the third bilateral trade meeting between the two nations. Senior government officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), outlining a framework that facilitates easier and more structured trade for communities along the shared border.

Representing Kenya, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui emphasised the government’s commitment to resolving persistent commercial bottlenecks, especially at the Moyale border, which have long hampered local economic growth.

“We are working toward a future where goods and people can move freely between our two countries. Kenya and Ethiopia must realise the full potential of free trade, not only for commerce but also for tourism and broader economic development,” Kinyanjui said.

He highlighted the complementary nature of the two economies, with Ethiopia supplying essential commodities and Kenya offering manufactured goods of value to Ethiopian markets. He encouraged citizens and investors to seize the opportunity provided by the new trade framework.

“Kenya has invested heavily in modern transport and trade infrastructure. We now call on traders to utilise these systems to expand business with our neighbours,” he added.

On Ethiopia’s side, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe hailed the agreement as a critical step in bringing the AfCFTA to life at a grassroots level.

“We resolved two longstanding issues—border trade regulations and trading thresholds. The new guidelines provide structure and clarity for small-scale traders,” Gofe said.

Under the agreement, Ethiopia’s border trade zone will extend 50 kilometres from the frontier, while Kenya’s will span 100 kilometres. Small-scale traders will be permitted to trade up to four times monthly, with a maximum threshold of $1,000 USD per transaction, based on a jointly approved list of goods.

Both countries have agreed to continue collaboration through a detailed matrix of agreed minutes, with Ethiopia pledging to circulate a draft legal instrument to formalise the agreement.

“After two years of intensive negotiations, we have reached consensus. The focus now is on implementation—making this agreement work on the ground,” Gofe stated, commending the technical teams for their dedication.

The new trade framework is expected to transform the lives of thousands of informal and small-scale traders operating in Kenya’s and Ethiopia’s border regions, offering them a predictable and secure environment for business.

This bilateral pact stands as a model for regional economic cooperation under the AfCFTA, which aims to create the largest free trade area in the world by connecting 55 African countries and over 1.3 billion people.

President William Ruto has issued a powerful call for the transformation of the global governance architecture, arguing that the existing world order—established in the aftermath of World War II—has become obsolete and increasingly detrimental to the Global South.

Delivering a public lecture at Peking University in Beijing, President Ruto criticized the current international system, which he said continues to concentrate power and wealth in the hands of a few, while systematically sidelining developing nations.

“The ongoing trade tariff wars may well be a harbinger of the collapse of the outdated global order that has prevailed since 1945,” he remarked, referencing rising economic tensions between major powers that have disrupted global trade and eroded multilateral cooperation.

Ruto argued that the post-war financial and security institutions, originally designed to promote stability, have instead perpetuated inequality and entrenched the dominance of wealthy nations.

“The architecture born from that conflict disproportionately benefits the Global North, leaving the Global South excluded and underrepresented,” he said.

Highlighting the urgent need for reform, President Ruto called for a complete reimagination of global institutions to reflect today’s geopolitical landscape and the aspirations of developing nations.

“In my address at Peking University, I emphasized the imperative to forge a new world order that recognizes current realities and empowers all nations equitably,” he said.

He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to stronger South-South cooperation and praised China as a vital partner in pursuing inclusive global reforms.

“We must continue working together—Kenya and China—as advocates for the Global South in international forums, especially in pushing for reforms to make global institutions more representative, inclusive, and effective,” Ruto stated.

His remarks come at a time when there is growing pressure from African, Asian, and Latin American countries for meaningful changes at institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. These reforms, advocates say, are essential for ensuring equitable decision-making and fairer representation of the developing world.

The request was made by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during a meeting with top BUCG officials on Tuesday, April 22. Mudavadi emphasized the urgent need to modernize JKIA, even as the government continues its search for private investors to support the large-scale infrastructure project.

“Ahead of H.E. President William Ruto’s State Visit, I met with Mr. Raymond Luo, President of BUCG International, Mr. Harold Huang, General Manager of Marketing, and Mr. Wei Zhang, Vice President for Southeast Africa, to discuss their expertise in airport construction,” said Mudavadi.

“They shared insights from their 42 years of experience building over 30 airport terminals, runways, and specialized aviation facilities worldwide. I encouraged them to submit their expression of interest as Kenya prepares to invite contractors for the upcoming JKIA expansion.”

BUCG’s strong track record in aviation infrastructure, with more than 30 terminals constructed globally, positions it as a strong contender for the proposed development.

The JKIA expansion is expected to include the construction of a brand-new terminal, aimed at enhancing passenger capacity and modernizing services at one of East Africa’s busiest airports.

The Kenyan government has been actively seeking credible investors for the project. Initially, the administration held discussions with India’s Adani Group, but President William Ruto later canceled the engagement following public outcry and international legal issues involving the group’s leadership. Gautam Adani, the company’s chairman, faced fraud charges in the U.S. and was implicated in bribery allegations in India.

The now-scrapped deal with Adani had an estimated project cost exceeding Ksh 200 billion.

As the government resumes its search for partners, the JKIA upgrade remains a central piece of Kenya’s ambition to position Nairobi as a major transportation and logistics hub on the continent.

Taking to his official X account on Tuesday, April 22, Jaoko expressed his gratitude to President Ruto for the opportunity to serve the nation in this new capacity.

“I wish to take this opportunity to give special thanks to H.E. President William Samoei Ruto for granting me an opportunity to serve Kenyans by appointing me to serve in the capacity of Special Advisor, Economic Empowerment, and Sustainable Livelihoods. Thank you, Your Excellency,” he wrote.

In his message, Jaoko also extended his appreciation to ODM Party leader Raila Odinga, acknowledging his support and efforts to foster unity among Kenyans.

“Thanks also go to the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga, for showing his faith in me and for creating a conducive environment for Kenyans from all walks of life to work together for our beloved country, Kenya,” he added.

Jaoko has long been active in Kenya’s political landscape. In the lead-up to the 2022 general election, he was a key figure in mobilizing support for Raila Odinga’s presidential bid. In 2024, he launched an international lobby group, Friends of Baba (FOBA), to advocate for Raila’s candidacy for the African Union Commission chairmanship.

An accomplished professional, Jaoko holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a focus on Accounting and Finance from St. Mary’s University in Canada.