President William Ruto’s economic advisor David Ndii has reacted to the possibility of being dropped as one of Ruto’s advisers as part of austerity measures after the fall of the Finance Bill 2024.
David Ndii in a message shared through X on Tuesday July 7 subtly addressed reports that he might be on the chopping board, maintaining that he would not be a worried man.
Ndii in a cryptic message suggested that if let off from his post as an advisor, he would instead be relieved rather than suffering a loss.
The economist was reacting to news that he was among Ruto’s advisors “whose days are numbered” following the announcement by the Head of State that he would be implementing austerity measures including reducing his advisory’s team budget.
“You don’t know how relieved I’d be,” said Ndii.
Further, while asked why he didn’t quit or resign from the post going by the fact that he would not be worried, the economist claimed that he wasn’t a loser, as quitting equates to losing.
David Ndii Reacts on Quitting Job
“Quitters are losers, and I’m not a loser”.
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Ndii’s response came after President Ruto announced that the number of advisors in the government will be reduced by 50 per cent.
“The number of advisors in government shall be reduced by 50 per cent within the public service with immediate effect,” he said.
Advisers, politicians, and hundreds of civil servants were the first casualties of austerity measures announced by the Head of State in an attempt to assuage Kenyans dissatisfied with his leadership.
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Ruto also announced the reduction of advisers in the government following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 which included a Ksh1.1 billion budget for presidential advisers.
Effects of Austerity Measures Announced by Ruto
The announcement also affected other offices including the offices of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretaries who in a recent report by the Public Service Commission (PSC) had been accused of hiring advisers exceeding the numbers provided.
In the report, at least 250 officers were appointed as personal staff in the Office of the Deputy President and advisers to Cabinet Secretaries without competitive recruitment.
Moreover, Ruto announced the dissolution of parastatals with overlapping mandates.
Public officers who have attained the age of 60 were also directed to proceed on retirement.
In the changes, the head of state highlighted a Ksh177 billion cut to plug the budget deficit following the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill, 2024.
President Ruto said the government would present a proposal to the National Assembly to approve expenditure cuts after the withdrawal of the bill that was intended to raise Ksh346 billion in new taxes.
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