Parliament rejects budget cuts for the First and Second Lady offices

The Budget and Appropriations Committee, led by Ndindi Nyoro, has expressed concerns over the Treasury's plan to eliminate funding for the offices of the First and Second Lady. This move comes despite Kenyans' public pressure to cut government costs.

The decision has relieved the staff working at the two offices following intense discussions on President William Ruto's initial proposal in the first Supplementary Budget of the current financial year.

President Ruto had suggested significant budget reductions, including eliminating confidential expenditures for the Office of the President and the Deputy, funding for the Office of the First Lady, and the Office of the Spouse to the Deputy President.

The Committee on Administration and Internal Security in the National Assembly had also strongly opposed the budget cuts.

Narok West MP Gabriel Koshal Tongoyo, chair of the committee, along with members like Homa Bay town MP Peter Kaluma, argued that ending the contracts of staff in these offices could lead to legal challenges and additional costs. They emphasised the contractual obligations and potential financial repercussions of discontinuing these services.

Treasury had initially proposed removing the budget lines for the offices of First Lady Rachel Ruto and Second Lady Dorcas Gachagua, aiming to save Sh1.25 billion in the current financial year.

"This is to align the 2024/25 spending plan with the downgraded revenue forecast on the back of the Finance Bill withdrawal," the National Treasury said.

This proposal was part of a broader effort to implement austerity measures across the national government to address a Sh346 billion deficit, linked to the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.

President Ruto's spouse, Rachel Ruto, had been allocated Sh696.6 million, an increase from the previous year's Sh593.9 million.

The office of the spouse of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faced a complete budget cut, losing Ksh557.6 million in the proposed Supplementary Budget 1, which is currently under review by Parliament.

The budget for Dorcas's office had already been reduced from the Ksh717 million allocated in the 2023/24 budget. These cuts were part of President Ruto's commitment to eliminate funding for the offices of the First Lady and Second Lady, following widespread protests against the Finance Bill 2024.

"Offices such as that of the First Lady have existed before, but from tomorrow we are going to do away with that and other offices so that we can check our spending," said Ruto during a roundtable meeting with the media on Sunday, June 30.