President William Ruto has pledged to significantly reduce government spending as part of efforts to recover Sh.341 billion, which was intended to be raised through the Finance Bill 2024’s tax measures.
During a media interview on Sunday, Ruto committed to eliminating non-essential expenditures within his office and enforcing budgetary reductions across the Judiciary, Parliament, counties, and the executive.
Although Ruto appeared to align with public demands, he cautioned about severe repercussions if the Finance Bill is not passed, including the necessity of borrowing Sh.1 trillion to maintain government operations.
He emphasized that government spending should align with the nation’s economic situation.
Among the key measures Ruto proposed is the elimination of budget allocations for the offices of First Lady Rachel Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi.
Billions Allocated to Spousal Offices
By cutting funding to these two offices, the government is projected to save Sh.1.2 billion. In the 2024/25 budget, Rachel Ruto’s office was allocated Sh.696 million, an increase of Sh.100 million from the previous year, while Pastor Dorcas Rigathi’s office received Sh.557 million, down Ksh.160 million from the 2023/24 budget.
In February 2023, another controversial office was introduced—the Office of the Spouse to The Prime Cabinet Secretary, held by Tessie Mudavadi.
This sparked public outrage, although Mudavadi clarified, “I want to state very clearly that there is no public expenditure that has occurred in the conversation around Tessie Musalia.”
Executive Budget Cuts
Ruto also indicated that the executive branch, which receives significant budget allocations, will face cuts.
The State House budget stands at Sh.9.4 billion, including Sh.696 million for the First Lady’s initiatives.
This funding supports constitutional mandates, strategic projects, policy advisory, and upkeep of State Houses and State Lodges, as well as benefits for retired presidents, vice presidents, and other state officials.
Other notable allocations include Ksh.5 billion for the Office of the President, Sh.4.9 billion for the Deputy President’s office, and Sh.1.1 billion for the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Ruto mentioned that the Judiciary and Parliament, which received Sh.24.6 billion and Sh.44.6 billion respectively, will also experience budget reductions, though the exact amounts remain unspecified.
Addressing the Salary Budget
Additionally, President Ruto committed to addressing the expanding wage bill by reducing salaries, starting with his own.
The president currently earns a gross salary of Sh.1.4 million, the Deputy President Sh.1.2 million, and the Prime CS Ksh.990,000. MPs and Senators earn Sh.739,600, while governors are paid Sh.990,000.
One of the demands from the younger generation is to cut MPs’ salaries to Sh.200,000 as part of the austerity measures, potentially reducing monthly expenditure for MPs from Sh.258 million to Sh.69 million.
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