Kisumu East MP Shakeel Ahmed Shabbir has criticised a proposal in the National Assembly’s supplementary budget allocating Sh168 million for vehicles for electoral commissioners, arguing the spending reflects excessive luxury in a developing economy.
The MP said the allocation would translate to about Sh24 million per vehicle and warned that public officials should exercise restraint in government expenditure.
Speaking on Thursday on Radio Generation, the legislator said such spending would be difficult to justify in a country where many public institutions are already grappling with financial constraints and competing demands for limited public resources.
He argued that allocating large sums for administrative comforts risks diverting funds from areas that could directly improve services to citizens.
The MP said the proposal reflects what he described as a growing culture among some public officials who expect high-end benefits immediately after assuming office.
In his view, the expectation of luxury perks has increasingly become normalised within sections of the public service, despite the broader economic challenges facing the country.
He noted that newly appointed commissioners often request luxury four-wheel-drive vehicles such as Land Cruisers, in addition to drivers and other privileges funded by taxpayers.
Such demands, he said, illustrate a pattern of entitlement that could place unnecessary pressure on public finances if left unchecked.
The legislator observed that many public servants already receive a range of allowances and other benefits, raising questions about whether the purchase of expensive vehicles should be prioritised when institutions still face numerous operational needs.
He suggested that directing large allocations toward vehicles and similar benefits risks shifting focus away from the core responsibilities of public bodies.
He further questioned the budgetary logic behind the allocation, warning that a significant portion of institutional funding could end up being spent on administrative conveniences rather than programmes that support institutional mandates.
According to him, public officials should demonstrate restraint and ensure that government spending reflects the economic realities experienced by ordinary citizens.
Kenya, he said, must remain mindful of its status as a developing country and avoid adopting costly practices common in wealthier nations, particularly when such expenditures do not directly contribute to improved public service delivery.
Drawing comparisons with policies implemented elsewhere, the MP pointed out that some governments have previously restricted the type of vehicles available to public officials as a way of promoting economic discipline.
In certain cases, officials were limited to locally manufactured vehicles, a move intended to encourage responsible leadership while supporting domestic industries.
Such approaches, he argued, helped governments maintain fiscal responsibility while ensuring that public resources remained focused on development priorities.
Kenya, he suggested, could consider adopting similar principles in order to curb excessive spending within government institutions.
The legislator also expressed concern about broader attitudes within the public service, suggesting that some officials appear more focused on maximising personal benefits during their time in office, saying this trend risks undermining public confidence in government institutions if citizens begin to perceive leaders as prioritising personal comfort over prudent financial management.
The MP emphasised that institutions entrusted with critical national responsibilities, such as overseeing elections, must exercise particular caution in how they allocate resources.
Spending decisions within such bodies, he said, should reflect transparency, accountability and sensitivity to the country’s broader economic context.
The remarks come as Parliament continues to scrutinise the supplementary budget, which outlines additional allocations and adjustments to government spending plans.
The proposed vehicle allocation has already sparked debate within policy circles, forming part of wider discussions about the need for stronger financial discipline across government agencies.
The MP stressed that leaders must recognise that public resources are limited and should therefore be used in ways that directly benefit citizens while strengthening the capacity of national institutions.
Beyond the debate on government spending, he also addressed ongoing discussions surrounding the valuation of Safaricom shares following Parliament’s approval allowing the sale of shares to Vodafone.
He defended the role of the stock market in determining the value of listed companies, explaining that share prices are largely shaped by assessments made by investors, analysts and regulators who examine a company’s accounts, investments and financial performance.
While some analysts believe the shares should command a higher price because of Safaricom’s expansion into markets such as Ethiopia, he said such expectations largely reflect economic projections rather than present market realities.
Stock markets, he explained, operate under internationally recognised systems designed to ensure that the price of shares reflects available financial information at a given time.
Differences between accounting valuations and economic projections, he noted, often lead to disagreements about what a company’s shares should ultimately be worth.
However, he maintained that the most reliable way to determine the value of a listed company is through the stock market itself.
To illustrate his point, the legislator compared the situation to selling a vehicle, noting that the value of any asset is determined by its current market price rather than the possibility that it may appreciate in the future.
When someone chooses to sell an asset immediately, he explained, the price must reflect prevailing market conditions rather than speculative future gains.
The remarks come amid broader public debate about government spending and investment decisions, particularly those involving major state-linked institutions and financial assets.
He concluded by emphasising that discussions surrounding such matters should remain focused on transparency, accountability and responsible financial management in both government institutions and public markets.