President William Ruto has directed immediate austerity measures to reduce expenditure after he withdrew the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Ruto while addressing the nation on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, said the proposed measures will start with his office, before extending to the entire executive arm of the government.
“In this regard, I direct immediate further austerity measures to reduce expenditure, starting with the Executive Office of the President and extending to the entire executive arm of government,” Ruto said.
Presidency operational expenditure
President Ruto directed that operational expenditure in the Presidency be reduced, and proposed the areas where allocations of funds should be reduced.
In his address, Ruto directed budget reductions on travel, hospitality and purchase of motor vehicles for his office.
The head of state has also directed budget reductions on renovations and other expenditures in the Presidency.
“I direct that operational expenditure in the Presidency be reduced to remove allocations for the confidential vote, reduce travel budget, hospitality and purchase of motor vehicles, renovations and other expenditures,” Ruto said.
Parliament, Judiciary, Counties
Ruto further proposed the reduction of the budget by Parliament, the Judiciary and County Governments working with the National Treasury.
“I propose that equally, Parliament, the Judiciary and County Governments working with the National Treasury also undertake budget cuts and austerity to ensure that we do what I have always advocated for, that we live within our means,” Ruto stated.
Ruto’s harsh economic policies come after he announced that he will be withdrawing the contagious Finance Bill 2024.
Ruto said that he had arrived at his decision of not signing the Bill after reflecting on the continuing conversation around the content of the finance bill of 2024.
“Following the passage of the bill, the country witnessed widespread expression of dissatisfaction with the bill as passed, regrettably resulting in the loss of life, destruction of property and desecration of constitutional institutions.
“I send condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate manner. Consequently, having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the finance bill of 2024, I will decline to assent to the bill,” Ruto stated.
The tax proposals in the Finance Bill 2024 plunged the country into widespread demonstrations that have resulted in the death of several protesters with hundreds more injured.
The protests turned ugly on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, after a section of the demonstrators made true their intention to occupy parliament where they caused massive destruction.
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