The Ministry of Devolution has advised governors not to overspend County budgets in order to congratulate President-elect William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua.
In a statement issued on September 7, the ministry stated that governors have been sending costly congratulatory messages to the new leader, which may place financial strain on the counties.
“Following this pronouncement, leaders from across the Globe have continued to send congratulatory messages to the President-elect and the Deputy President-elect. Among the messages received, are those from the County Governments, both on social media and in the Daily Newspapers. It is noted that these adverts are expensive and risk creating financial burden to the Counties involved,” the statement said.
According to the statement, “public money shall be used in a prudent and responsible way.”
“In light of the above and also in line with advice from the President-elect, these congratulatory adverts are hereby discouraged with immediate effect. Counties wishing to send congratulatory messages are encouraged to explore cheaper alternatives such as social media,” it said.
The devolution ministry advised Governors to cut on the wastage in congratulatory messages, and instead use the resources to serve Kenyans since this is the desire of the William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua government.
“It is the desire of the new administration to give Kenyans value for their money. The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to direct that all Counties immediately desist from procuring the extravagant congratulatory advertisements,” it said.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold William Ruto’s election on Monday, a number of governors have placed full-page advertisements in local dailies congratulating the duo.
Congratulatory messages ran on Tuesday for the governors who were the first to secure an advertisement space. Others ran on Wednesday and Thursday as well.
