The proposed drastic multibillion-dollar budget cuts made by President William Ruto have been met with resistance.
With allegations of waste in the public sector, the cuts go at important areas.
Given the Sh346 billion shortfall in anticipated revenue, the government announced a significant realignment of budget priorities.
Initially, Ruto had targeted several sectors for significant budget cuts, such as the hiring of 46,000 JSS teachers, the implementation of Universal Health Care, and the shelving of several construction projects worth billions of dollars.
JSS has a funding deficit of Sh18.9 billion.
Ruto’s initiative to subsidize fertilizer, which was supposed to revive agriculture, was also negatively impacted by the lower revenue.
But on Friday, he declared that he would put forth to Parliament a budget decrease of Sh177 billion.
Budgets for JSS teachers, intern physicians, fertilizer subsidies, and the debt waiver for coffee will all be saved as a result.
This will impact the additional Sh30 million in CDF money that each MP was supposed to receive, as well as the Sh5.5 billion in cash transfers for the elderly that were part of the Social Security Project.
Political leaders have questioned the government’s goals in response to the measures, which have sparked a tempest.
Several budget cuts, according to opposition MPs who talked with the Star, are tantamount to fraud.
Some portions that are not essential should be chopped, according to them.
“Whenever there’s a serious issue, the government swiftly cuts funding for Kerra or CDF, which is blackmail,” stated Nyando MP Jared Okelo.
Mombasa Woman Representative ZamZam Mohammed remarked that legislators won’t be swayed by such tactics.
“If budget cuts are necessary to free our Kenyans, then eliminate the CDF, but we won’t let the government use this to intimidate us,” she asserted.
The devolved entities would further bear the Sh346 billion cut in budget.
The reduction, according to Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o, is a plot to end devolution.
According to him, any decrease in county financing would be a betrayal of justice for devolved governments, whose revenue allocation is predicated on the examination of the national accounts.
“How can the President claim to base the failed Finance Bill on revenue allocations calculated from a budget three years ago?” he questioned.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja stated that reducing county allocations would violate the law.
He added that no amendments can be made to the Division of Revenue Bill that has already been signed by the president.
The Bill divides spending between the national and county governments.
“The law clearly states that any shortfall will be covered by the national government,” Sakaja told the Star.
On the other side, senators are raising concerns about the government’s vast waste and loopholes, which they believe should be closed before jeopardizing important dockets.
Senator Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi stated that waste and excess in public institutions can be redirected.
The Senate Deputy Minority Leader, a legislator, claimed that while Kenyans are struggling to put food on the table, outrageous sums are being given to leaders.
“We need to reassess our budgets to identify significant cuts that will show the public we are reducing spending,” Sifuna said.
“When I became the Deputy Minority Whip, I was given a GK vehicle. On the first day I drove it home, I used the expressway and was astonished at the amount on my ETC card for my Parliamentary car. This morning, when I used the same car to come here, my ETC card had Sh377,000,” he added.
Kakamega Senator BoniKhalwale advocated for the elimination of unconstitutional offices that burden taxpayers.
The Senate Chief Whip specifically mentioned the offices of the First Lady, the Spouse of the Deputy President, the Spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and county first ladies.
“Those are private family matters that should not be public concerns,” Khalwale stated.
The Finance Bill that was withdrawn included a Sh. 1.2 billion allocation for the offices of the First and Second Ladies.
The office of the First Lady was allotted Sh696.6 million, and the office of the Second Lady was given Sh557.5 million.
As part of the austerity measures, Ruto has already consented to resign from the two positions.
At the State House, he made the announcement at a roundtable for the media.
Last week, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua issued a challenge to Ruto to think about cutting the number of cabinet secretaries from the current 21 to 14.
“The Constitution allows the President to appoint between 14 and 22 Cabinet Secretaries. Currently, there are 21. I urge the President to show he is listening to the people by reducing his Cabinet from 21 to 14,” he said.
Wambua also suggested merging state departments and reducing the number of principal secretaries from 51 to 14.
According to former Prime Minister RailaOdinga’s lawyer Paul Mwangi, reducing some wasteful expenditures might save the country billions of dollars.
“Restrict mileage claims to one visit to the constituency per month,” Mwangi posted on his X account.
“Eliminate all foreign travel for the rest of this Parliament’s term. Abolish all sitting allowances. Committee members should receive a fixed extra-responsibility allowance each month.”
