Office of the wife of Kenya’s Deputy President allocated Ksh103m for staff hiring despite austerity calls

david nganga

May 25, 2018 12:19 PM

The allocation for salaries and allowances have also increased by over 700%

The office of the wife of Deputy President William Ruto has received an extra Sh103.7 million for staff hiring, according to the latest budget estimates by the treasury.

Rachel Ruto's office allocation for salaries and allowances for the 2018/2019 financial year rose by 707 per cent to Sh118.5 million from Sh14.7 in current year, with no reasons given behind the payroll jump.

This increased the budget of running the office to Sh305.6 million in the period starting July, up from Sh187.2 to be spent in the current year ending next month.

Likewise, the budget allocation for the office of the First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta, increased to Sh437 million, up from Sh430m in the current year.

Taxpayers' burden

The allocation of extra money to the two offices reflects the taxpayers’ burden of keeping state officers and their families comfortable.

Millions of shillings are also spent on rent, furniture, entertainment, cars, travel and communication undermining the treasury's efforts to implement austerity measures prompted by under performance in revenue collection amid rising expenditure.

Even then, part of the funds allocated to Mrs Ruto's office goes towards financing her project that empowers women through business and provision of affordable credit.

david nganga