NAIROBI, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday directed ministries to cut their 2023/2024 budgets by 10 percent to align expenditures with available resources amid the global economic stress.
Ruto also emphasized the need for the government to exercise prudence in resource utilization, firmly stating that wastage and corruption would not be tolerated.
"To mitigate price fluctuations, it was decided that the government will set aside 4 billion shillings (about 26.96 million U.S. dollars) to purchase maize from farmers," the presidency said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, after a cabinet meeting.
The latest move came a day after the government suspended non-essential travel for government officials as the East African nation seeks to streamline expenses and ensure prudent utilization of funds.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei in a circular issued Monday also restricted delegations accompanying high-ranking government officials during foreign trips.
On Tuesday, Ruto warned government officials seeking to bypass the use of a unified payment system, underscoring the necessity for better oversight.
The government has been under pressure from Kenyans to reduce the high cost of living sparked by rising food and fuel prices. Ruto, however, has dismissed such calls on increased taxes, arguing that it was the only way to reduce borrowing for a government that is struggling with a public debt. ■
