President Ruto Announces Budget Cuts in Response to Sustained Protests

“We must all be proud that we have managed to elevate the debate in our country to issues that affect all of us,” Ruto added. He also highlighted other actions taken in response to public outcry, including the appointment of an independent task force to audit public debt, with a report due in three months.

Additional measures include hiring secondary school teachers, and settling debts owed to farmers. “In keeping in line with the enhanced austerity measures we are committed to implement, the following actions shall be taken immediately: 47 state operations with overlapping and duplicating functions will be dissolved, resulting in the elimination of their operations cost.”

Furthermore, Ruto said that budgets for the offices of the first lady, spouse of the deputy president, and the prime cabinet secretary will be removed, and renovation budgets across the government will be reduced by 15 percent.

The cuts also include the suspension of the purchase of new vehicles for state officials for six months, suspension of all non-essential travels, enforcement of the retirement of public servants at the age of 60, and the reduction of government advisers by 50 percent.

The protests, which have lasted over two weeks nationwide and are entering their third week, have recorded 39 deaths, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. Ruto’s speech preceded an online conversation with Kenya’s young people on X Spaces.

“I was [honored] to engage young people on X Space and to discuss the affairs of our country. I value their knowledge, ideas and suggestions on how to transform our country. I am also committed to addressing the issues they raised and the concerns they have to ensure we forge a new, inclusive and sustainable path for all Kenyans,” Ruto posted on his X account after the session.