This archive report was first published on 10 June 2020.
Big Shocker for DP William Ruto as Budget is Almost Halved ¶
Deputy President William Ruto will have a tough year ahead after his budget was significantly reduced in the new financial year.
According to the Treasury's budget allocation, DP Ruto's total budget has been slashed by over 40 per cent, from Sh2.4 billion to Sh1.4 billion.
While he is not the only one affected by the budget cuts, he is among the top officials in the Executive with the steepest cuts in the 2020/21 spending plan, which will see the government spend a total of Sh2.7 trillion.
Some of DP Ruto's budget lines were cut by as much as 87 per cent, including his hospitality budget, which was reduced by 87.8 per cent from Sh197.9 million to Sh23.9 million.
His domestic travel, subsistence, and other transportation costs have been slashed by half from Sh193.6 million to Sh96.8 million, which may reduce his movements across the country.
His foreign travel and subsistence budget has been cut by 62.4 per cent, from Sh89.6 million to Sh33.6 million, while his fuel budget for the Office of the Deputy President was halved from Sh28.4 million to Sh14.2 million.
Other operating expenses were reduced by 66 per cent from Sh307.3 million to Sh103.6 million.
On the other hand, the office of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has received a full-year budget allocation for the first time, with Sh71.9 million allocated to him in the new financial year.
The Treasury has allocated Sh10 million for basic wages for temporary employees, Sh20 million for insurance costs, Sh26 million for the purchase of vehicles, and Sh10 million for furniture.
The development budget for the Office of the Deputy President was also cut from Sh68 million in the 2019/20 estimates to Sh18 million in the budget statement.
At the end of the cuts, the DP's office lost at least Sh988 million compared with what it was allocated in the current financial year.
