MPs Expose How Govt Blew Half a Billion on Adverts

A parliamentary watchdog has put the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications under scrutiny over the expenditure of more than Ksh500 million on advertising, printing, and distributing theMyGovpullout.
The controversy arose from audit queries in the Auditor-General’s report for the financial year ending June 2023, which flagged payments made through the Government Advertising Agency (GAA). The agency is responsible for placing government notices and advertisements in the MyGov supplement published by contracted media houses.
On Tuesday, the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Butere MP Tindi Mwale, raised concerns that the GAA had failed to provide verifiable records on circulation figures despite repeated directives. MPs demanded clarity on how many copies were printed, distributed, or returned during the period under review.
According to the Auditor-General, the State Department spent Ksh495,389,974 on printing, advertising, and information supply services through four newspapers. However, a review of contracts revealed that the revenue generated from adverts placed inMyGovdid not fully offset these payments.
“In the circumstances, the value for money from the expenditure of Ksh495,389,974 could not be confirmed,” the Auditor-General observed.
Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe was particularly critical, alleging that payments were made to ThePeople Dailyeven after it had stopped printing. “The State Department is telling us they paid for printing and distribution, yet some newspapers mentioned here, likePeople Daily,had even stopped printing. They are no longer printing paper,” he said, adding that the situation pointed to outright pilfering of public funds.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Stephen Isaboke, appearing before the committee, defended the transactions. He said the contracts under review related to a period whenPeople Dailywas stilloperational and under a valid agreement with GAA.
Isaboke argued that government advertising costs had fallen under the centralised system compared to earlier years.
“Historically, government expenditure on advertising was much higher. The GAA was established to plug this gap and bring efficiency. While the system is young and still on a learning curve, the intention is to deliver services more efficiently,” he told MPs.
However, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo challenged the PS to table comparative data showing expenditure before and after the creation of the GAA. He also pressed for clarity on whethersome newspapers were being sidelined when placing adverts.
In response, Isaboke dismissed the claims, stressing that the government had no policy of discriminating against any media house. He acknowledged, however, that revenue projections had fallen short, citing a Ksh1 billion forecast that yielded only Ksh441 million due to delayed payments by ministries, departments, and agencies.
Turkana Central MP Emathe Namuar accused the agency of overspending beyond its Treasury allocation, warning that such practices risked turning into “another window of looting.” He suggested that the government should gradually shift from costly print adverts to digital platforms.
Committee chair Tindi Mwale directed the State Department to submit, within two weeks, a detailed report including circulation data, expenditure comparisons, and verification mechanisms.