Martha Karua has once again stirred public debate after accusing President William Ruto’s office of excessive spending, claiming that at least Ksh1 million is used daily on tea at State House.
During an interview with a local television station on Sunday, October 12, 2025, the People’s Liberation Party leader said the alleged figure represents a serious misuse of public funds, especially when many Kenyans are struggling to make ends meet.
She said it was unacceptable that the government could spend such an amount on tea while ordinary citizens cannot even afford basic meals.
Karua, a former Justice Minister who has announced her intention to run for the presidency in the 2027 General Election, said her administration would prioritize responsible spending and strict financial discipline.
She added that under her leadership, there would be no room for corruption, wasteful expenditure, or inflated procurement deals.
She explained that Kenya’s biggest challenge is not the lack of resources but the misuse of available funds through corruption and unnecessary luxury.
According to Karua, every coin collected from taxpayers should be used to improve public services and support citizens who are struggling with high living costs.
She argued that a country cannot grow when leaders misuse funds that could otherwise build schools, hospitals, and job opportunities.
She gave an example of how simple items in government tenders are overpriced, citing a case where a bottle of water costing Ksh30 was being sold to the government at Ksh500.
She said this kind of mismanagement must stop if Kenya hopes to achieve real development.
Karua described her movement as one that seeks to restore trust in leadership and rebuild public institutions that have been weakened by years of corruption and inefficiency.
She said the People’s Liberation Party will stand for transparency, fairness, and accountability, with a focus on ensuring that no public money is wasted.
She promised to create systems that make it easy to track how funds are spent and to punish anyone who misuses them.
Her remarks come at a time when Kenyans are expressing growing frustration over the cost of living and what many view as wasteful government spending.
The claim that State House spends millions daily on tea has sparked wide reactions on social media, with some Kenyans demanding a full audit of the president’s office expenses.
Others have praised Karua for raising the issue, saying it reflects the kind of honesty and courage that is needed in leadership. Her comments have added to the ongoing national conversation about accountability and the urgent need to ensure that public money truly serves the people.
