Budget estimates for the year starting July show Rachel Ruto’s office allocation for salaries and allowances rose to Sh118.5 million from Sh14.7 in current year, reflecting a 707 per cent growth.
This increased the budget of running the office to Sh305.6 million in the period starting July, up from Sh187.2 that will be spent in the current year ending next month.
Besides staff, millions of shillings are spent on rent, furniture, entertainment, cars, travel and communication in the two offices.
The Treasury has allocated the office of the wife of the Deputy President William Ruto an extra Sh103.7 million to hire staff, reflecting the taxpayers’ burden of keeping State officers and their families comfortable.
Budget estimates for the year starting July show Rachel Ruto’s office allocation for salaries and allowances rose to Sh118.5 million from Sh14.7 in current year, reflecting a 707 per cent growth.
This increased the budget of running the office to Sh305.6 million in the period starting July, up from Sh187.2 that will be spent in the current year ending next month.
Treasury did not specify reasons behind the payroll jump in Mrs Ruto’s office, whose annual budget has increased from Sh102.9 million in 2014.
The budget allocation for the office of the First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta, was little changed at Sh437 million, up from Sh430m in the current year. But the budget has risen from Sh114.4m in 2013.
Besides staff, millions of shillings are spent on rent, furniture, entertainment, cars, travel and communication in the two offices.
Mrs Ruto is also paid by the government in her position as the spouse of Deputy President. Her pet project has been empowering women through business and provision of affordable credit.
A year after her husband assumed office in April 2013, she launched a nationwide drive to empower women through business training and organising them into saccos to deepen financial inclusion.
Part of the funds allocated to the office goes towards financing her movements to remote areas, largely dominated by low-income earners.
Besides Mrs Kenyatta and Mrs Ruto’s workplaces, taxpayers are spending millions to fund the fully furnished offices of formers state offices whose roles in government are limited.
Treasury will have spent Sh149.2 million for staff and the office of former Vice-President Moody Awori in the year ending June. He separately earns pension.
The offices of Former presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki will setback taxpayers Sh176.9 million in the year ending June.
