Ruto suspends all non-essential travel by state officers

The suspension is to allow government save on costs.

In Summary
  • The President announced the new measures on Friday during the State of the nation address.
  • Ruto while making the announcement said he had heard concerns raised by Kenyans.
President William Ruto at a past event.
President William Ruto at a past event.
Image: FILE

President William Ruto has suspended all non-essential travel by state officers.

"All non-essential traveller by state officers is hereby suspended," he said.

The President announced the new measures on Friday during the State of the Nation address.

The suspension is to allow the government to save on costs.

Ruto while making the announcement said he had heard concerns raised by Kenyans.

"We are determined to carry out these and other changes to improve the quality, efficiency, and transparency in serving the people of Kenya and ensure that citizens receive maximum value for their resources from a public sector that prioritizes their welfare," he said.

He added that a new policy on transport for public officers will be developed.

Ruto said following wide consultations, they have settled on cutting down on various costs, including; dissolving at least 47 state corporations with overlapping functions.

"Resulting in the elimination of their operational and maintenance costs, and their functions will be integrated into the respective line ministries.

"Staff currently employed by the affected corporations will be transferred to ministries and other state agencies," he said.

He also announced the suspension of the hiring of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS).

The President has also directed the reduction of advisers in government by at least 50 per cent and with immediate effect.

He has also announced the removal of budgets in the Offices of the First Lady, the Second and the Spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

Ruto has also said the confidential budgets in Executive offices have also been removed.

The Head of state said the budget for renovations in government will now be reduced by 50 per cent.

He further directed that Civil servants who attain the age of 60 will be required to retire immediately and no extensions will be allowed.

The President has also directed the suspension of the purchase of new motor vehicles in government for one year, except for security agencies.

"I believe these changes will set our country on a trajectory towards economic take-off, enabling us to achieve the strategic objectives of the bottom-up economic transformation agenda and deliver our commitments to radically enhance opportunities for Kenyans and transform our country," Ruto said.

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