Ruto Slashes Ex-Presidents’ Benefits by Ksh.99M
President William Ruto has slashed retired presidents’ benefits by Ksh.99 million as part of his cost-cutting measures in line with the revised 2024/2025 budget.
According to State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito, the budget for the State House has been reduced significantly, from Ksh.9.496 billion to Ksh.4.382 billion, marking a 54% decrease.
Among the areas most impacted is the allocation for retired presidents’ benefits, which has been reduced from Ksh.646.69 million to Ksh.547.45 million.
Several programs were significantly impacted, such as the refurbishment of eight State Lodges nationwide, including Nairobi, Kakamega, Nakuru, Eldoret, Sagana, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Mtito Andei, with their budget allocation reduced to zero.
Additionally, the government had initially allocated Ksh. 696 million to the office of the First Lady for four key programs: women empowerment, climate change initiatives, promotion of social justice, and protection of children in safe homes and families.
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For instance, Ksh. 4 million was earmarked for her office to plant 500 million trees across the country. However, this allocation has also been revised down to zero.
The government also reduced spending on presidential visits, national celebrations, state hospitality, and maintenance of both residential and non-residential buildings.
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta claimed on June 11, 2024, that the State had allocated only Ksh.28 million out of the required Ksh.646 million to his Office, which amounts to 4.4 percent of the total needed.
According to his spokesperson Kanze Dena, the former president indicated that he funded fuel for his vehicles to carry out tasks, as his fuel cards were blocked and canceled by the State in March 2023.
Additionally, the former president disclosed that the State has only organized two of his trips, leading him to cover his travel expenses.
To address remarks made by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura about Uhuru’s office enjoying all provided State benefits, President Uhuru formed a team after a phone call with Ruto to tackle concerns raised by the Fourth President’s office.
Ruto Slashes Ex-Presidents’ Benefits by Ksh.99M
