Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addresses a fundraiser event for the Peace and Mercy Church of Africa at Kipkok Primary School in Sigowet-Soin Constituency on June 8, 2024. IMAGE | COURTESY
In Summary:
- Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s office renovations are halted as the government freezes refurbishments.
- Treasury’s budget measures aim to curb spending and address public criticism of government extravagance.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will have to continue using his current office at Harambee House Annex for another year, following a freeze on government office refurbishments announced by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u in his budget speech on Thursday.
This decision is part of broader measures to reduce government spending amid public criticism of perceived extravagance by leaders.
President William Ruto’s repeated calls for austerity have contrasted sharply with the luxurious lifestyles of some government officials, prompting a backlash from Kenyans.
In his speech, CS Ndung’u emphasized the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.
The announced measures include a freeze on all new public sector hires for a year, an audit to eliminate ghost workers from public payrolls, and enforcement of standardized salary scales.
Additional cost-cutting measures involve reducing expenditures on foreign travel and training, with all training to be conducted within government institutions and communication streamlined through Wi-Fi and emails.
Public service, police, and prison employees will see their insurance schemes aligned with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Among the spending cuts, the suspension of office refurbishments and the purchase of new furniture for one year directly impacts DP Gachagua’s plans to renovate his Harambee House Annex office and official residences in Karen and Mombasa, which were estimated to cost Ksh.300 million.
The Deputy President, who has previously voiced concerns about his air travel provisions, will also be affected by the government’s reduction in motor vehicle spending, having requested a Ksh.100 million budget for vehicles.
Other austerity measures include consolidating public procurement for common items, requiring semi-autonomous government agencies to surrender surplus funds to the exchequer, and reviewing regional development authorities to eliminate overlapping roles with county governments and other government bodies.