How Budget Slash Will Affect President Ruto’s Office, Judiciary, and Other Institutions
On June 26, 2024, President William Ruto chose not to approve the Finance Bill, opting instead for its withdrawal based on public feedback.
President Ruto emphasized his responsiveness to Kenyans’ clear rejection of the Finance Bill 2024 during a televised address from State House, Nairobi.
He stated, “Having closely listened to the people of Kenya, who have unequivocally expressed their disapproval of the Finance Bill 2024, I acknowledge their sentiments. Consequently, I will not sign this bill, and it will be withdrawn.”
The decision to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024 has significant implications for the economy, particularly regarding budget adjustments.
The Kenya Kwanza administration announced budget cuts for the fiscal year 2024/25 to reallocate funds towards crucial development projects, compensating for revenues foregone due to the withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.
Overall, the budget will be reduced by Ksh156 billion, with development expenditures facing a substantial cut of Ksh122 billion and recurrent expenditures slashed by Ksh34 billion.
Various government offices and sectors will bear the brunt of these reductions, experiencing significant decreases in their allocations.
For instance, the Executive Office of the President’s budget will drop from Ksh5.4 billion to Ksh3.6 billion, a reduction of Ksh1.8 billion. The President directed reductions in operational expenses, including allocations for confidential expenditures, travel, hospitality, vehicle purchases, renovations, and other discretionary spending.
Similarly, the Office of the Deputy President will see its budget reduced by Ksh2.1 billion, from Ksh4.9 billion to Ksh2.6 billion.
The Judiciary, another crucial arm of the government, will face a budget cut of Ksh1.3 billion, reducing its allocation from Ksh23.7 billion to Ksh22.4 billion, potentially affecting judicial services’ efficiency nationwide.
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Security and law enforcement sectors will also experience reductions. The National Police Service’s budget will decrease by Ksh2.7 billion, from Ksh110 billion to Ksh107.3 billion, while the Internal Security sector will witness a Ksh8.5 billion reduction, dropping from Ksh35.8 billion to Ksh27.3 billion.
The education sector will confront significant budgetary constraints, with Basic Education’s budget cut by Ksh14.9 billion to Ksh27.1 billion, and Higher Education and Research facing a reduction of Ksh4.9 billion, setting its new budget at Ksh20 billion.
Medical Services, essential for public health, will see a Ksh7 billion reduction, decreasing its budget from Ksh98.9 billion to Ksh91.9 billion, potentially impacting healthcare provision and medical supplies.
Infrastructure sectors like Roads and Transport will also undergo cuts, with the Roads budget reduced by Ksh14.1 billion to Ksh184 billion and Transport facing a Ksh3.3 billion reduction, with its new allocation at Ksh48.3 billion.
Additional sectors facing budget cuts include Correctional Services, Immigration Services, Foreign Affairs, and Energy, reflecting the government’s focus on efficient financial management and prioritization of critical development projects.
These reductions are expected to challenge affected sectors in maintaining service levels and operational efficiency.
As the fiscal year progresses, the full impact of these budget cuts will become more apparent, necessitating innovative solutions to mitigate adverse effects while ensuring essential services for the Kenyan population.
How Budget Slash Will Affect President Ruto’s Office, Judiciary, and Other Institutions
