This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
On June 11, 2020, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani was set to present the Financial year 2020/2021 Budget, which included a significant cut to Deputy President William Ruto's office budget.
According to sources, Ruto's budget was set to be reduced from Ksh2.4 billion to Ksh1.4 billion, a cut of Ksh1 billion.
The reduction in Ruto's budget was seen as a move to curtail his movement across the country, which has put him at loggerheads with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
However, Ruto's office was not the only executive wing to be subjected to budget cuts. The Cabinet affairs budget was expected to gobble up Ksh2.2 billion, down from Ksh2.8 billion in the current financial year, representing a 21% cut.
The State House Affairs budget within the presidency was also set to receive a total of Ksh3.8 billion, down from Ksh5.4 billion in the current year, translating into a 29 percent cut.
Specifically, Ruto's domestic travel, subsistence, and other transportation costs were slashed by half from Ksh193.6 million to Ksh96.8 million. His foreign travel and subsistence budget was cut by 62.4 percent, from Ksh89.6 million to Ksh33.6 million.
His hospitality budget, used to entertain guests and throw parties, was reduced by 87.8 percent from Ksh197.9 million to Ksh23.9 million. The fuel budget for the Office of the Deputy President was also cut from Ksh28.4 million to Ksh14.2 million, while other operating expenses were reduced by 66 percent from Ksh307.3 million to Ksh103.6 million.
On the other hand, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga received a full-year budget allocation of Ksh71.9 million, alongside other offices of former presidents and vice-presidents.
