Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu has announced the suspension of all his scheduled harambees following a ban President William Ruto announced Friday.
During the State of the Nation address, the President banned state officers from taking part in fundraising and charitable activities.
Governor Ntutu in response to the directive said he has suspended his scheduled fundraising activities in honour of Ruto’s directive
“The president issued a directive to all state officers and public servants to cease fundraising activities and Harambees in light of the current national situation. As the elected Governor of Narok County, I hereby announce the immediate suspension of all my scheduled Harambees and public fundraising activities in my diary,” Ntutu said.
He pledged to engage institutions that had called for his intervention to seek a way out of helping them.
“In the interim, I will engage with all institutions and organizations that have sought my support to find an amicable solution that serves the best interests of the people of Narok County,” he said.
The ban on harambees comes after a massive public uproar among Kenyans who questioned the source of money many politicians were displaying in public.
The President also directed State officers to keep off charitable events.
“The Attorney General is hereby directed to prepare and submit legislation to this effect and develop a mechanism for structured and transparent contribution for public, charitable and philanthropic purposes,” Ruto said.
Addressing the nation on Friday, Ruto said that these changes will be followed by others he is set to roll out soon.
He, however, rolled out a number of austerity measures to cut on heavy costs the government is incurring.
Ruto said following wide consultations, they have settled on cutting down on various costs, including; dissolving at least 47 state corporations with overlapping functions.
“Resulting in the elimination of their operational and maintenance costs, and their functions will be integrated into the respective line ministries.
“Staff currently employed by the affected corporations will be transferred to ministries and other state agencies,” he said.
He also announced the suspension of the hiring of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS).
The President directed the reduction of advisers in government by at least 50 per cent and with immediate effect.
He also announced the removal of budgets in the Offices of the First Lady, the Second and the Spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
The confidential budgets in Executive offices have also been removed.
The Head of state said the budget for renovations in government will now be reduced by 50 per cent.
