President William Ruto has pledged government support to families who lost loved ones during recent protests across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing, Ruto expressed satisfaction that Kenyans were now engaging in discussions about critical issues including unemployment, national debt, budgetary matters, and government wastage, stressing that these conversations go beyond tribal, personal, or political divisions.
“I will continuously listen to the people of Kenya and apply their input to enrich government policies,” Ruto affirmed.
Addressing the pressing issue of public debt, Ruto announced the establishment of a task force tasked with scrutinizing the national debt. “I have appointed a Taskforce to look into the national debt and present a report within 3 months. They will recommend how resources have been allocated and propose measures to prevent burdening future generations,” he stated.
Ruto also tackled the fiscal challenges stemming from the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, which has left a deficit exceeding 346 billion. He noted that the Treasury is considering options such as reducing government operational budgets or increasing borrowing, cautioning that such measures could significantly impact service delivery.
In terms of austerity measures, Ruto announced the resolution of 47 state corporations with duplicated functions, with affected staff to be transferred to ministries. He also canceled the appointment of Cabinet Administrative Secretaries (CAS) and eliminated budgets for unconstitutional offices, including those of the First Lady, spouses of the Deputy President, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Furthermore, Ruto emphasized immediate actions such as requiring retirees to leave without service extensions, suspending vehicle purchases except for security agencies, eliminating unnecessary travel, and restricting state and public officers from participating in fundraisers and charity support.
“We are committed to reducing unnecessary expenditures and improving efficiency in government operations,” Ruto concluded.
The President’s announcements reflect a commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency amidst economic challenges, aiming to streamline government operations and ensure prudent use of resources for the benefit of all Kenyans.
