MP Yusuf Hassan Criticizes UDA MPs for Proposing Reinstatement of First Lady’s Budget Despite Ruto’s Austerity Order
Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan on Monday criticized his colleagues from the ruling party for disregarding President William Ruto’s austerity directives.
During an interview, Hassan pointed out that MPs from the United Democratic Party were out of sync with the President, who had eliminated the budget for Rachel Ruto’s office to reduce expenses, yet they proposed funding for it.
“Members of the ruling party in Parliament seem disconnected from the President’s vision of significant changes. For instance, the Finance Committee has reinstated the budget for the First Lady’s office,” he explained.
Hassan highlighted that this contradicted President Ruto’s public announcement a few weeks earlier, where he declared the scrapping of the Office of the First Lady, the Office of the Deputy President’s Spouse, and the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s Spouse amidst growing unrest.
He argued that while MPs were pushing for a budget for a private individual, they were simultaneously cutting funds for essential sectors like education, health, and water.
“We are failing to reduce these unnecessary expenses, which could be managed under the President’s Office in a manner he prefers,” he added.
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Hassan also stressed that the MPs’ reasons for not following Ruto’s directive were insincere. The budget was reintroduced with the justification that job losses would occur if the office was scrapped.
However, Hassan countered that job losses were already happening in vital areas such as education and health, and prioritizing these sectors was more beneficial for the nation.
Moreover, he emphasized the need for the country to focus on critical issues, particularly due to the current unrest and increased protests.
In the interview, Hassan expressed disappointment that parliamentarians had not reflected on the recent issues, stating that ‘people had forgotten and were reverting to business as usual.’
Regarding the Office of the First Lady’s elimination, the Budget and Appropriations Committee rejected the proposed budget cuts on Thursday.
The National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security also opposed Ruto’s directive, arguing that terminating employment contracts would lead to legal challenges and additional costs.
Before Ruto’s announcement, Rachel Ruto’s office was allocated Ksh696.6 million, and Dorcas Rigathi’s office was set to receive Ksh557.6 million.
MP Yusuf Hassan Criticizes UDA MPs for Proposing Reinstatement of First Lady’s Budget Despite Ruto’s Austerity Order
