By John Ogunsemore
Kenya’s President, William Ruto has scrapped the budgets for the offices of First and Second Ladies, one of the new austerity measures introduced to cut public expenditure following massive anti-government protests in the East African nation.
In the measures announced via a live broadcast on Friday, Ruto said following wide consultations, his administration would dissolve no fewer than 47 state corporations with overlapping and duplicating functions, as well as cut non-essential travels for government officials, adding that “no state officer or public servant will participate in Harambee.”
Ruto also announced that the number of advisers in government would be halved.
“The budgetary provisions for confidential budgets in various Executive offices, including my office, shall be removed, and the budget for renovations across the government reduced by 50%,” he said.
The Kenyan President also announced that civil servants who attain the age of 60 will be required to retire immediately with no extensions allowed.
Similarly, he suspended the purchase of new motor vehicles in government for one year with an exception made for security agencies.
Ruto directed the Attorney General to prepare and submit legislation to this effect and develop a mechanism for structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable, and philanthropic purposes.
Since June 18, millions of Kenyans have thronged the streets, first to demand the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill, and later to demonstrate against the government’s economic policies.
The protests were largely peaceful for the first week but took a violent turn on June 25 when demonstrators breached police barricades and nearly ran over parliament.
In a Tuesday statement, police said they arrested over 270 people masquerading as protesters who are suspected to have engaged in a criminal rampage during the protests.
Protesters have blamed “goons” for widespread looting and property damage reported in the latter part of the protests.
