Kenyan President William Ruto has promised significant changes in his government, alongside measures to accommodate national budget cuts.
According to Ruto, the government is determined to implement these changes and other interventions to improve quality, efficiency, and transparency in serving Kenyans. He emphasized that these changes are intended to ensure citizens receive maximum value from a public sector that prioritizes their welfare.
“I believe these changes will set our country on a trajectory toward economic transformation, enabling us to achieve the strategic objectives of the bottom-up economic transformation agenda and deliver our commitment to radically enhance opportunities for all Kenyans and transform our country,” he highlighted.
Ruto made these remarks on Friday at State House Nairobi, a week after withdrawing the highly unpopular Finance Bill 2024, which proposed new taxes.
The 2024 Finance Bill included tough tax policies such as a 16% tax on special medical gear and new taxes on essential products like sanitary pads, phones, and computers. These proposals directly affected many young people, prompting protests.
Other measures announced by the Ruto administration include dissolving 47 state corporations with overlapping and duplicating functions. Affected staff will be transferred to ministries and other state agencies.
Additionally, Ruto suspended filling the position of Chief Administrative Secretaries and revealed that the number of government advisors will be reduced by 50%.
Budget lines for the offices of the First Lady, the spouse of the Deputy President, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary will be removed.
Ruto also suspended the purchase of new government vehicles, except for security agencies, and promised to develop a new policy for public officers.
Non-essential travel by public servants was suspended, and public servants were barred from participating in public contributions.
President Ruto pledged to continuously and effectively listen to Kenyans and take public contributions in good faith. Regarding public debt, he announced that an independent task force has been appointed to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the country’s public debt.
Following extensive consultations, Ruto proposed to the National Assembly a budget cut of Ksh 177 billion and borrowing of Ksh 169 billion to sustain the Ksh 346 billion budget.
It remains unclear whether these moves will satisfy the protesting Gen Z in the East African nation, who have vowed to continue their nationwide protests until all their issues are addressed.
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