Ruto’s Austerity Plan Thwarted: Parliament Shields First & Second Lady’s Budgets
The Ndindi Nyoro-led Budget and Appropriations Committee has raised concerns about the Treasury’s intentions to close the offices of the First and Second Lady, despite ongoing efforts to cut costs. This decision essentially prolongs the existence of these offices, which many Kenyans have called to be eliminated.
This move offers a significant reprieve to the staff, following intense discussions on President William Ruto’s proposal in the initial Supplementary Budget of the current financial year to reduce spending in these offices.
President Ruto initially suggested major budget reductions, aiming to eliminate confidential expenditures for the Office of the Deputy President, as well as funds allocated to the Office of the First Lady and the Office of the Deputy President’s spouse. The proposal encountered strong resistance from the Committee on Administration and Internal Security in the National Assembly.
Narok West MP Gabriel Koshal Tongoyo, who leads the Committee, along with members such as George Peter Kaluma, argued that ending the contracts of staff in these offices could lead to legal issues and increased costs. They highlighted the binding nature of the contracts and the potential financial consequences of halting these services.
The committee’s choice to maintain the budget lines has ignited debate and speculation regarding its effects. The Treasury had initially removed the budget lines for the offices of First Lady Rachael Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Gachagua, aiming to save Ksh1.25 billion in the current financial year.
This decision was part of a broader effort to implement austerity measures across the national government to address a Ksh346 billion deficit, which stemmed from the now-abandoned Finance Bill 2024.
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President Ruto’s spouse, Rachael Ruto, was allocated Ksh696.6 million, representing a 17.3 percent increase from the previous year’s allocation of Ksh593.9 million. The office of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s spouse faced a complete budget cut, losing Ksh557.6 million in the proposed Supplementary Budget 1, which is still under parliamentary review.
The budget for Ms. Gachagua’s office had already been reduced from the Ksh717 million allocated in the 2023/24 budget. These cuts were part of President Ruto’s commitment to remove budgets allocated to the offices of the First Lady and Second Lady, following widespread protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
“Budget lines for the operations of the offices of the First Lady, the spouses of the Deputy President, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary will be eliminated,” President Ruto declared in a national address after unprecedented public protests.
As parliamentary review of the Supplementary Budget continues, the future of these budget lines remains a contentious issue. The decision to keep the budget for the First and Second Lady’s offices marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over government spending and fiscal responsibility.
The final decision is likely to have significant implications for the administration and the broader political landscape.
Ruto’s Austerity Plan Thwarted: Parliament Shields First & Second Lady’s Budgets
