Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-27 21:30:28
Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo announced on Tuesday, February 27, that the Ministry of Treasury had implemented a ban on air flights for staff traveling to Mombasa from any part of the country. This decision was part of cost-saving measures put in place by the ministry in an effort to reduce expenditure.
During an interview with Spice FM, PS Kiptoo disclosed that only Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u was granted approval to travel by air, while Principal Secretaries could also be approved on a need-to-need basis. The rationale behind these restrictions was to explore measures aimed at trimming the ministry’s expenditure as Kenya continues its efforts to revive the economy.
“We saw the need to implement austerity measures. We agreed on a raft of measures which we believe will result in a significant reduction in expenditure,” PS Kiptoo explained. The ban on flights to Mombasa was extended to all staff members, who were now required to use alternative modes of transportation such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train or road travel.
In addition to the flight ban, other cost-saving measures included abolishing the purchase of snacks using budgeted funds and limiting the provision of meals to drinking water only. Staff members were now required to purchase their meals from their own pockets. The ministry also planned to introduce a common printer to reduce costs and promote the use of emails over paperwork.
Furthermore, the Treasury had adopted more affordable and eco-friendly materials for construction projects and halted the majority of ongoing infrastructure projects to save on expenses. PS Kiptoo noted a significant decrease in travel expenditure, particularly in the number of staff members accompanying high-ranking officials on trips.
PS Kiptoo urged other Principal Secretaries to explore ways to cut down expenditure within their respective ministries. He emphasized the need for prudent management of public resources, pointing out that a significant portion of revenue was allocated to servicing domestic and foreign debts.
The austerity measures implemented were in line with President William Ruto’s directive in October 2023, where he ordered all government agencies to reduce their expenditures by 10%. President Ruto emphasized the importance of prudent resource utilization and declared a zero-tolerance policy towards wastage and corruption within the government.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Treasury’s decision to ban air flights for staff traveling to Mombasa was part of a broader effort to curb expenditure and promote fiscal responsibility within the government. The measures taken aimed to achieve significant cost savings while still ensuring the efficient operation of the ministry.
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