By Erestinah Jane | July 7, 2026
Siaya Governor James Orengo has questioned the growing trend of public officials making multi-million-shilling donations during public events, arguing that such contributions raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability and the source of the funds.
Speaking during a Linda Mwananchi movement rally in Mosocho, Kisii County,today, Orengo challenged state officers who regularly make large cash donations at church fundraisers, harambees and other public functions, saying Kenyans deserve to know where the money originates.
“Where do public servants get millions of shillings to donate every weekend? These are not their personal savings, and we must ask where this money is coming from because it belongs to the taxpayers,” Orengo said.
The senior counsel and opposition leader argued that the increasing display of large cash donations by public officials undermines efforts to promote integrity in public service and raises legitimate questions about adherence to principles of accountability and prudent use of public resources.
Orengo maintained that elected and appointed leaders whose salaries and benefits are publicly known should be able to account for the source of substantial financial contributions made during public engagements. He warned that the continued practice risks eroding public confidence in anti-corruption efforts and good governance.
The Siaya governor called on investigative agencies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), to examine the financial capacity of public officials who frequently make high-value donations. He said such investigations would help determine whether the funds are lawfully acquired and consistent with the officials’ declared sources of income.
According to Orengo, the fight against corruption cannot succeed if questions surrounding unexplained wealth are ignored. He argued that transparency in public finance should extend beyond government expenditure to include the personal financial conduct of public office holders.
The remarks were made during a rally organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement, where Orengo was joined by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. The opposition leaders used the forum to criticise what they described as governance shortcomings, the high cost of living, increased taxation and alleged corruption in public institutions.
Orengo said the movement would continue holding public forums across the country to engage citizens on governance issues and advocate for greater accountability ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He further warned that the use of unexplained wealth or state resources to gain political influence at the grassroots level could undermine democratic competition by creating an uneven political playing field. He said public office should be exercised with integrity and in accordance with constitutional principles governing leadership and accountability.
The governor’s remarks add to the ongoing national debate over political donations and public fundraising, an issue that has increasingly drawn scrutiny from civil society groups and governance advocates who have called for greater transparency in political financing.
Neither the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission nor the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had publicly responded to Orengo’s appeal at the time of publicatiion.
