Principal Secretary for the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs Joseph Mogosi Motari has been accused of facilitating the accumulation of pending bills amounting to KSh.100 million at the department.
A section of activists led by Francis Lwenya on Friday called for investigations into the alleged financial irregularities, claiming that funds meant to support operations at the department have been diverted to activities unrelated to its core mandate.
The activists further alleged that some of the funds have been channelled towards political activities, including the campaign of Motari’s wife, Monica Motari, who is seeking to contest the Kuria East parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
“Monica Motari has been spending more than KSh.2 million every week on campaigns in the constituency. This money could have been mobilised through the department under the direction of the PS,” the activist said.
Lwenya and the activists called on relevant government agencies to investigate the source of the alleged campaign funds and establish whether public resources have been misappropriated.
They also alleged that the KSh.100 million pending bills are largely linked to suppliers and contractors associated with Motari and his alleged associates.
The activists further claimed that efforts have been made to conceal the alleged financial challenges by delaying payments for some current bills until older recurrent obligations are cleared.
They linked the alleged financial constraints to delays in the payment of some beneficiaries under the government’s Inua Jamii programme.
Inua Jamii provides cash transfers to vulnerable groups, including older persons, orphans and vulnerable children and people living with severe disabilities.
The activists said delays in payments could have serious consequences for beneficiaries who rely on the monthly support to meet basic household needs.
They have consequently called for a comprehensive audit of the department’s finances, including pending bills, procurement processes and payments made to suppliers and contractors.
They also want investigators to establish whether public funds have been used to finance political activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The allegations come against the backdrop of the government’s wider efforts to address pending bills owed to suppliers and contractors.
In the 2026/2027 financial year, the National Treasury proposed KSh.68 billion towards clearing outstanding debts owed to suppliers and contractors across government.
The activists said the situation at the State Department for Social Protection should be investigated to establish how the alleged KSh.100 million debt accumulated and whether public funds were properly utilised.
Motari and the State Department had not immediately responded to the allegations at the time of publishing.
