President William Ruto has reduced benefits for retired presidents and the budget for State House functions in the newly revised 2024/25 budget.
In a recent statement, State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito confirmed that the overall budget for State House was slashed by 54%, from Ksh9.496 billion to Ksh4.382 billion.
Ruto also lowered the benefits for retired presidents by Ksh99 million, reducing the allocation from Ksh646.69 million to Ksh547.45 million.
On July 18, Ole Metito appeared before the Administration and Internal Security Committee to provide an update on supplementary estimates for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Ruto Cuts Statutory Benefits for Retired Presidents
He explained that the State House is currently implementing one programme—State House Affairs—and two sub-programmes: Coordination of State House Functions and Administration of Statutory Benefits for Retired Presidents.
The approved estimates for these two sub-programmes had been revised downwards by 57% and 15%, respectively.
“The most affected areas by this budget cut are the Office of the First Lady’s programmes and initiatives, advisory services, and overall State House programmes and activities,” he said.
Parliamentary Affairs & Head of Public Service Budget
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, CPA Aurelia Rono, requested the Committee to adjust their budget to Ksh458.3 million as per the approved budget to facilitate the implementation of the Government Legislative Agenda and Parliamentary Liaison.
The Committee further scrutinized the revised budget for the Office of the Chief of Staff and the Head of Public Service, presented by Principal Administrative Secretary Arthur Osiya.
Osiya informed the Committee that the Ksh700 million earlier allocated to government printing services for new equipment, printing machines, and building refurbishments had been removed entirely.
“In light of this budget cut, the government printer will continue to operate with its old equipment and therefore not operate at its optimal level. However, if modernized and operating at full capacity, the Government Printer would generate revenue and support its operations,” Osiya observed.
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Mudavadi’s Office Estimates
The Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Busiega, revealed that the budget cuts had led to reductions in allocations for communication, supplies and services, training expenses, monitoring, and evaluation, among others.
Amos Gathecha, the Acting PS for the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management, also highlighted that the reduction in their budget would significantly impact their service delivery.
“The tracking and fast-tracking of National Government priority projects and programmes being implemented across the country will be heavily curtailed since most of this work is field based,” Gathecha told the lawmakers.
Also Read: Ruto Appoints Mudavadi as Acting CS for All Ministries
State Department for Cabinet Affairs
The State Department for Cabinet Affairs, led by PS Dr. Idris Dokota informed the Committee that the budget reductions would disrupt the department’s process of developing and implementing the Cabinet Decisions and Presidential Directives’ Management Information System.
This system aids in monitoring the implementation status of all Cabinet decisions and Presidential directives.
The Committee is set to consider the MDAs’ submissions and generate a report, which Chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo is expected to present to the Budget and Appropriations Committee for consideration this weekend (June 20).
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