Government Suspends Refurbishment of Deputy President’s Office and Residence Due to Budget Cuts
The planned renovation of the Office of the Deputy President and the Karen residence has been put on hold due to changes in the 2024/2025 budget.
According to the updated Programme Based Budget, the government will no longer provide funds for the refurbishment and maintenance of these facilities.
This decision follows a significant budget reduction of Ksh1.8 billion for the Office of the Deputy President.
The cuts are a consequence of the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2023, which was anticipated to bring in an additional Ksh300 billion to support the budget.
In response to the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, President William Ruto announced that the government would implement austerity measures.
These measures include suspending refurbishment and maintenance projects for government buildings. One of the notable projects affected is the refurbishment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s official residence, which was initially planned with a budget of Ksh600 million.
Some funds had already been allocated in the previous financial year, with the plan to distribute the total amount over four years.
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Upon assuming office, Gachagua revealed that the official residence had numerous issues, including a leaking roof and other damages.
He described the poor condition of the residence in a media interview, stating, “The official residence of the Deputy President was in bad shape when I became Deputy President. The rooftop was leaking, the borehole pump was broken down, and the house was totally in bad shape. Even if I would want to move into the DP’s residence, that place is inhabitable. I found Ruto staying in a house where the roof is leaking. They had even moved to a corner of the house together with the wife.”
Additionally, President Ruto’s directive led to the removal of the budget allocated to the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President.
For the current financial year, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi was set to receive Ksh557 million. However, this allocation has now been withdrawn in line with the government’s austerity measures.
The government’s decision to halt these refurbishment projects and cut the budgets is part of broader efforts to manage the country’s finances more prudently, especially in the face of reduced revenue following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2023.
Government Suspends Refurbishment of Deputy President’s Office and Residence Due to Budget Cuts
