Senate orders crackdown on governors, MCAs over use of public funds for self-promotion
The petitioner, Laban Omusundi of the Grassroots Civilian Oversight Initiative, decried the widespread branding of county-funded projects and vehicles with the names, images and campaign slogans of governors and MCAs.
The Senate has directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Auditor-General, and the Controller of Budget to take immediate action against governors and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) who misuse public funds for personal branding.
Senators have termed the trend illegal and unethical, warning that it distorts the purpose of public service.
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The call follows a petition submitted to the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations by Laban Omusundi, the Executive Director of the Grassroots Civilian Oversight Initiative and a resident of Nakuru County.
The petitioner decried the widespread branding of county-funded projects and vehicles with the names, images and campaign slogans of governors and MCAs.
Under the Senate Standing Orders, the petition was referred to the Committee, which was mandated to respond within 60 days.
The committee’s report echoes the petitioner’s concerns and recommends urgent legislative and oversight interventions.
Misleading citizens
Omusundi’s submission highlighted that the practice of personal branding on public assets amounts to political self-promotion at taxpayers’ expense. He argued that this “self-aggrandisement” misleads citizens into believing projects are funded by politicians themselves, rather than through public resources.
He pointed to Article 231(4) of the Constitution, which prohibits the portrait of any individual on Kenyan currency, as a precedent for banning individual branding on public property.
“Historically, monarchs used portraits to assert divinity. But Kenya is a republic. Leaders are servants, not small gods,” the petitioner said.
He urged the Senate to amend the County Governments Act, 2012, to prohibit governors and MCAs from permanently placing their portraits, names, or slogans on publicly funded projects. Instead, he proposed projects be marked simply: “Courtesy of the Taxpayers of Kenya”.
The petition urged that all county government vehicles be branded with national flag colours to enhance public identification and curb misuse, noting that unbranded vehicles are often used for personal errands by political elites and officials.
Omusundi argued that citizens should have the right to peacefully intervene or report misuse of such public property.
Despite repeated attempts to engage the Council of Governors and the Attorney General’s Office, Omusundi said there was no official response, prompting his formal appeal to the Senate.
Unconstitutional and unethical
The Senate Committee, chaired by Wajir Senator Sheikh Mohamed, condemned the practice as unconstitutional and unethical.
“Branding public property with the names and images of individuals is not only unethical, but unconstitutional. It amounts to misuse of public funds and contravenes various sections of the law,” reads the report.
The committee cited several legal frameworks breached by the branding practice, including Chapter Six of the Constitution (2010), which mandates leadership based on integrity, honesty, and selfless service to the public interest. Article 75 of the Constitution requires state officers to avoid conflicts between personal and official interests and forbids compromising public office for personal gain.
Additional laws referenced include the Public Officer Ethics Act (Cap 183), the Leadership and Integrity Act (Cap 185C), and the Public Service (Values and Principles) Act (2015). These laws require public officers to maintain high ethical standards, avoid abuse of office and ensure efficient and honest use of public resources.
Prudent use of public funds
The Public Finance Management Act (2012), particularly Sections 79 and 162, also stresses transparency, accountability and prudent use of public funds, all of which are undermined by personal branding on public projects.
Senator Sheikh urged oversight bodies to act swiftly, directing the EACC, Auditor-General, and Controller of Budget to enforce compliance within 30 days by issuing advisories, auditing public spending on branding, monitoring projects, and disciplining officials who break the law.
“Public officers, including Governors, MCAs, and others, must stop using public funds for self-promotion. They are servants of the people, not demigods,” Senator Sheikh said.
Government vehicles
The committee recommended that all government vehicles prominently display official registration numbers as required by the Traffic Act (Registration Plates) and carry national flag colours to discourage personalisation and misuse.
The Committee called on counties to lead by example and for public infrastructure to reflect the collective efforts of taxpayers rather than individual political ambitions.
The EACC has been ordered to submit a report to the Senate within 30 days detailing the steps taken to curb personal branding of public assets, while the Auditor-General and Controller of Budget are tasked with conducting special audits to track unauthorised expenditures on branding.
The decisive Senate action follows growing public outcry over the misuse of public resources for political gain and aims to restore integrity and accountability in public service.
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