No harambees for State officers, CAS positions out: Ruto announces new austerity measures

President William Ruto has announced a raft of austerity measures across various government agencies to align the country’s budgetary expenditure to the implications of the withdrawn Finance Bill, 2024.

President Ruto, addressing the nation from State House in Nairobi on Friday afternoon, announced that at least 47 government bodies with almost similar mandates will now be dissolved and their staff absorbed into parent ministries.

This, he said, will enable the government to recoup funds previously used for their operational and maintenance expenses.

Ruto also said that the decision to fill the positions of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) effectively stands suspended, further that the number of advisers attached to the Executive will be slashed by 50 per cent.

“Budget lines providing for the operations of the First Lady, the Spouse of the Deputy President and Prime Cabinet Secretary will be removed,” he announced.

“Similarly, budget provisions for confidential budgets in various Executive offices including my own office have been removed, and the budget for the renovations across government reduced by 50 per cent.”

Ruto added: “Henceforth, public servants who attain the retirement age of 60 shall be required to immediately proceed on retirement with no extensions to their tenure of service whatsoever.”

The Head of State went ahead to halt the purchase of new government motor vehicles for 12 months, providing an exception only to security agencies, while also stating that a new framework for the transportation of public officers will be developed.

“All non-essential travel by State and public officers is hereby suspended. No State officer or public servant shall participate in harambees going forward,” he added.

“The Attorney General is hereby directed to prepare and submit legislation to this effect and develop a mechanism for structured and transparent contributions for public, charitable and philanthropic purposes.”

And while insider sources had previously intimated the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle, the President concluded his speech by saying; “These measures will be followed by changes in government that I will be making shortly.”