John Mbadi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, sparked debate after commenting on public scrutiny over government spending and public participation.
Speaking about criticism surrounding official travel and programme launches, Mbadi remarked:
“Kenyans are very interesting sometimes. When you don’t communicate, they complain. They want public participation. When you do it, they ask how much has been used. I don’t know if they want the president to travel from Nairobi to Kisumu on foot to publicise and launch the Nyota programme.”
His remarks appear to reference ongoing conversations about government expenditure, particularly in relation to public engagement events and official functions.
The comments have drawn mixed reactions online, with some Kenyans defending the need for government outreach and public participation, while others insist that accountability and prudent use of public funds must remain a priority.
The debate reflects broader tensions between transparency, public expectations, and fiscal responsibility in Kenya’s governance landscape.