President William Ruto has attracted attention following his commitment to reduce government expenditures across all branches in order to recover Ksh.341 billion initially targeted through taxation under the Finance Bill 2024.
In a recent media interview, Ruto pledged to cut non-essential expenses in his office and implement budget cuts across the Judiciary, Parliament, counties, and the executive. Despite acquiescing to public sentiment, Ruto cautioned about severe consequences if the Finance Bill isn’t passed, including the need to borrow Ksh.1 trillion to sustain government operations.
He emphasized that government spending must align with the country’s economic realities. Additionally, Ruto announced plans to eliminate budgets allocated to the offices of First Lady Rachel Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi.
The Billions allocated to spouses’ offices
The government is set to save Ksh.1.2 billion by removing budgetary allocations for two offices that many Kenyans consider unconstitutional. In the 2024/25 budget, the Office of Rachel Ruto received Ksh.696 million, an increase of Ksh.100 million compared to the previous fiscal year.
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi’s office was allocated Ksh.557 million, which marks a reduction of Ksh.160 million from the 2023/24 budget.
Additionally, in February 2023, another controversial spousal office was established—the Office of the Spouse to The Prime Cabinet Secretary, held by Tessie Mudavadi, spouse to Musalia Mudavadi. This office caused public outcry, although Mudavadi clarified that it does not receive funding from taxpayers.
“I want to state very clearly that there is no public expenditure that has occurred in the conversation around Tessie Musalia,” he said.
The Executive budget
In his newly announced austerity measures, Ruto also indicated plans for budget cuts across the executive, which received substantial allocations. State House was granted Ksh.9.4 billion, followed by the Office of the President with Ksh.5 billion, the Office of the Deputy President with Ksh.4.9 billion, and the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary with Ksh.1.1 billion.
The Ksh.9.4 billion allocated to State House includes the Ksh.696 million earmarked for the First Lady.
These funds are intended to fulfill constitutional mandates, support strategic initiatives under the Office of the First Lady, provide policy advice, enhance State Houses and State Lodges, and administer benefits for retired presidents, vice presidents, and other designated state offices.
Ruto also mentioned that the Judiciary, which received Ksh.24.6 billion, and Parliament, allocated Ksh.44.6 billion, will undergo budget reductions as part of the austerity measures. Specific details on the extent of these cuts have not yet been disclosed.
The salary budget
President Ruto has committed to addressing the ballooning wage bill by proposing salary reductions across government. He plans to lead by example with a reduction in his gross salary from Ksh.1.4 million.
The Deputy President currently earns Ksh.1.2 million, while the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s salary is Ksh.990,000. Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators receive Ksh.739,600 per month, while governors earn Ksh.990,000.
One of the proposals from critics, including the Gen Z demographic, is to lower MPs’ salaries to Ksh.200,000 as part of broader austerity measures. This adjustment would significantly decrease the monthly expenditure on MPs from Ksh.258 million to Ksh.69 million.
