• President William Ruto of Kenya has eliminated the budget for the office of the First Lady amid nationwide protests
• Ruto also confirmed that Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions will not be filled after a court ruling declared them unconstitutional, citing the need for economic reforms to support more opportunities

President William Ruto of Kenya has eliminated the budget for the office of the First Lady following nationwide protests. Ruto announced this in a live broadcast.

“Offices such as that of the First Lady have existed before, but from tomorrow, we are going to do away with that and other offices so that we can check our spending,” he stated.

Additionally, the President confirmed that Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions will not be filled after a court ruling declared the positions unconstitutional.

“On CASs, the court declared themselves on that, and we have respected that. No CAS will be appointed until we have an economy that supports more opportunities,” he said.

Ruto had nominated 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) for government roles, but a legal challenge in court contested the legitimacy of these appointments. If parliament had endorsed these nominees, it would have resulted in an annual expenditure of Sh460 million in total salaries paid by taxpayers.

The head of state also vowed to control excessive spending and luxurious lifestyles among Kenya Kwanza leaders, pledging to implement reforms ensuring responsible resource allocation and management.

“I promise you, watch this space. Going forward, you will see changes because we must do something about luxury and extravagance. We will take measures that will put us in the right place,” he declared.