Waiguru Hits Back At Standard Media’s ‘Spending Spree’ Headline
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has denied a front-page article by Standard Media Group saying that her county spent Ksh235 million on domestic travel, in the latest public spat between a government official and the media.
In a statement made on Monday, June 29, she accused the newspaper of using inaccurate numbers from the Controller of Budget’s (CoB) most recent implementation report.
The governor stated that attributing the combined expenditure to her was incorrect and urged the newspaper to provide precise numbers.
“A clarification to Standard Kenya: Your ‘Spending Spree’ headline in today’s newspaper is misleading,” she wrote.
A clarification to @StandardKenya: Your “Spending Spree” headline in today’s newspaper is misleading.
For the record, the Controller of Budget’s May 2026 Report (Page 289) on Kirinyaga was clear that on domestic travel – KShs. 𝟰𝟰.𝟴𝟳𝗠 was incurred by the County EXECUTIVE &… pic.twitter.com/Ani9WTq2T0— Anne Waiguru EGH, OGW (@AnneWaiguru) June 29, 2026
Waiguru added that the CoB’s May 2026 report showed that the County Executive spent Ksh44.87 million on domestic travel during the review period, with the County Assembly spending the remainder, Ksh190.50 million.
“For the record, the Controller of Budget’s May 2026 report (Page 289) on Kirinyaga was clear that Ksh44.87 million in domestic travel expenditure was incurred by the County Executive, not Ksh235.37 million as presented in your headline. Please present the figures factually,” she added.
The clarification followed a Standard Media front-page story highlighting expenditure on domestic travel by county governments, citing the CoB report.
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The publication reported Kirinyaga’s domestic travel expenditure as part of a wider story warning that counties are spending heavily on travel, allowances and salaries at the expense of Kenyans’ needs, including roads, health, water and other services.
Spending spree
Introducing Platinum, Silver and Emerald memberships tailored just for you! More choice. More value. More ways to power BOLD and factual journalism. Stay informed with The Standard E-Paper and INSiDER delivered straight to your device anywhere! Enjoy unlimited… pic.twitter.com/mXO0c0RJYJ— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) June 28, 2026
The report confirms that the county recorded total domestic travel expenditure of Ksh235.37 million during the first nine months of the 2025/26 financial year, comprising Ksh190.50 million by the County Assembly and Ksh44.87 million by the County Executive.
Waiguru’s response comes amid escalating criticism of Standard Media Group by allies of President William Ruto over its coverage of his administration.
The feud was sparked last week when Ruto publicly accused Standard Media Group of running what he termed an “extortionist propaganda” campaign against his administration.
This was after KTN News began airing a segment dubbed ‘The Gallery of Ruto’s Lies,’ which scrutinises unfulfilled government promises and stalled projects.
Waiguru Hits Back At Standard Media’s ‘Spending Spree’ Headline
