Police bosses now ordered to cut non-essential spending

Police commanders across the country have been instructed to cut non-essential spending.

A circular by Deputy Inspector General in charge of Kenya Police Edward Mbugua shows the extent to which expenditure will be cut after President William Ruto asked all government departments to make cumulative savings of Sh300 billion in the short term.

"The DIG informs the commanders that in view of the impending budgetary cuts in the Supplementary Budget No 1 estimates (2022/3), they will have to tighten their belts and forgo non-essential spending across the board," the circular stated.

While officially opening the 13th Parliament on September 29, President Ruto directed the National Treasury to cut the 2022/23 budget by Sh300 billion as the start of a three-year programme to reduce the recurrent expenditure.

Among those copied in the circular are regional police commanders, formation commanders and all heads of departments at the police headquarters.

The commanders have been told to cut down on travel and airtime by 25 per cent. They are also expected to bring down advertising and printing costs to a bare minimum.

"Reduce trips using GoK vehicles to cut on fuel and lubricants consumption. Do not use GoK vehicles on private trips," Mbugua said in the circular dated October 17.

Payment for meals and facilitation and refurbishment of buildings are among those that have completely been stopped.

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The police commanders have also been ordered to freeze the purchase of office furniture and equipment, and postpone all new projects. All stalled projects should also await further notice before they can be restarted.

In addition, they are to reduce money used on imprest by half. This will also affect temporary imprest issued for refreshments used during meetings.