Karen Nyamu puts her foot in her mouth again while defending Ruto’s spending
A statement by Karen Nyamu has reignited debate over government spending after she challenged comparisons between past and current State House budgets.
Her remarks followed criticism of earlier comments in which she questioned why allocations from different administrations were being measured against each other.
“Kama Uhuru Kenyatta hakujenga State House mpya, mbona mnacompare budget ya watu wawili wenye hawakufanya kazi same?” she posed.
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The comments come amid growing scrutiny of projects linked to William Ruto’s administration, particularly developments at State House, Nairobi.
Budget concerns and public sentiment
Kenya is currently operating under one of its largest national budgets in recent years, with Treasury reports indicating increased allocations across multiple sectors. However, this has coincided with rising public concern over the cost of living and persistent funding gaps in essential services such as healthcare.
Critics argue that high-value projects at State House risk sending the wrong message at a time when public hospitals continue to face shortages of medicine and staffing challenges.
Online reactions
Nyamu’s remarks quickly gained traction online, drawing a mix of criticism and humour from users across platforms.
Some of the responses included:
“OMG, she opened her mouth again 😢”
“Even the people listening to her are ashamed on her behalf 😅”
“Statehouse kujengwa na hospitali hazina madawa nayo haiwezi kubalika”
“We blame the one who gave her the mic 🚮😂😂😂😂”
“Do these politicians expect us to keep quiet 😂😂😂😂”
Old pledge resurfaces
The debate has also been fuelled by the resurfacing of a July 17, 2022 video showing Ruto, then Deputy President, pledging to build a धार्मिक structure at State House.
Speaking at a church service in Juja, Kiambu County, he promised to construct “a big church, a great altar.”
Broader criticism of spending priorities
In July 2025, Peter Salasya further stirred national debate after publishing an open letter criticising plans to construct a KSh 1.2 billion church within State House Nairobi.
Addressing President Ruto directly, Salasya raised concerns about public spending, constitutional responsibility, and religious inclusivity, noting:
“You’re not just the leader of Christians but also Muslims, Hindus, traditionalists, and atheists—every Kenyan.”
He linked the proposed project to broader economic pressures, arguing that public resources should prioritise essential services such as healthcare and food security, particularly at a time when many Kenyans are grappling with rising living costs.
