'Use social media!' Gov't orders Governors to stop paying for adverts to congratulate President-Elect Ruto

The Ministry of Devolution has cautioned Governors against overstretching County budgets to congratulate President-elect William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

In a statement on September 7, the ministry noted that Governors have been sending expensive congratulatory messages to the new leader, and it may burden the counties financially.

"Following this pronouncement, leaders from across the Globe have continued to send congratulatory messages to the President-elect and the Deputy President-elect. Among the messages received, are those from the County Governments, both on social media and in the Daily Newspapers. It is noted that these adverts are expensive and risk creating financial burden to the Counties involved,” the statement said.

It reminded Governors that that "public money shall be used in a prudent and responsible way."

“In light of the above and also in line with advice from the President-elect, these congratulatory adverts are hereby discouraged with immediate effect. Counties wishing to send congratulatory messages are encouraged to explore cheaper alternatives such as social media,” it said.

The devolution ministry told Governors to cut on the wastage in congratulatory messages, and instead use the resources to serve Kenyans. It said this is the desire of the William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua government.

“It is the desire of the new administration to give Kenyans value for their money. The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to direct that all Counties immediately desist from procuring the extravagant congratulatory advertisements,” it said.

After the Supreme Court upheld the election of William Ruto on Monday, a number of governors have since placed full-page advertisements in the local dailies, congratulating the duo.

For the governors who were first to secure an advertisement space, their congratulatory messages ran on Tuesday. Others ran on Wednesday and also Thursday.

Some have written congratulatory messages on social media.