Jimi Wanjigi: State House using NIS budget for public handouts
By David Nthua, August 18, 2025Safina Party Leader and business mogul Jimi Wanjigi has, in black and white, said President William Ruto is using taxpayers’ money, possibly through the National Intelligence Service (NIS), to achieve personal goals.
Speaking to a local radio station on Monday, August 18, 2025, Wanjigi did say that the ongoing empowerment programs and the latest trend of rewarding Harambee Stars’ players are a sham.
According to Wanjigi, there exists a concealed financing mechanism, which he described as a “slash fund” being used to bankroll the head of state’s public giveaways.
He noted that in earlier times, such allocations were disguised as confidential funds, but in the present dispensation, they appear to be channelled through different government offices.
Slash funds and secrecy
“I believe it is a slash fund they are using. Before, we used to call it a confidential fund.
“The situation we have here is that it seems there is a slash fund being used here, either through the NIS budget that is confidential, whether through the Office of the President, which is the Interior Ministry, or through the DP.
“There is some slash fund which the President is using in these ego trips and rewards,” Wanjigi claimed.
The businessman argued that such practices undermine transparency in governance and distort the country’s budgeting priorities.
He questioned why taxpayers should shoulder the burden of financing handouts in the name of empowerment when the economy remains fragile and many Kenyans face high costs of living.
Questions on empowerment
Wanjigi further pointed out that these funds appear to be designed to boost the President’s political image rather than improve the livelihoods of ordinary citizens in a structured way.
“We are being treated to showbiz rather than real empowerment. These are ego trips meant to hoodwink Kenyans,” he added.
His remarks add to the growing national debate on the source of funds fueling recent State House empowerment events, including donations of motorbikes and household items.
They also come at a time when several youths from Nairobi’s Jacaranda area claimed they were duped into believing they would receive motorbikes during one such event, but later went home empty-handed.
Wanjigi has now urged Kenyans to demand clarity and accountability, insisting that the veil of secrecy around these “slash funds” must be lifted to protect taxpayers and uphold fiscal discipline.