President Ruto's Directive Forces UDA Governor to Suspend His Scheduled Harambee

Narok governor Patrick Ole Ntutu has announced shelving his plans for a fundraiser on Saturday.

The county boss said he would observe President William Ruto's directive barring public officials from holding funds drives.

The county boss said that despite his move, the beneficiaries of his benevolence would still get the help in ways he would deem fit.

"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.

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.

On Friday, July 5, the president banned all public officers from taking part in any Harambee.

He directed Attorney General Justin Muturi to prepare and submit legislation on the ban.

AG Muturi was also tasked to develop a mechanism for structured and transparent public contributions.

“No state officer of public servant shall participate in public contributions or Harambees going forward. The Attorney General is hereby directed to prepare and submit legislation to this effect and develop a mechanism for structured and transparent contributions for public charitable and philanthropic purposes,” said President Ruto.

At the same time, the Head of State suspended non-essential travel by state and public officers in a move to reduce government spending.

President Ruto further suspended the purchase of new vehicles by the government for 12 months except for security agencies.

The President noted that a new policy would be developed on transport for public officers.

“The purchase of new motor vehicles by the government is suspended for 12 months except for security agencies while a new policy on transport for public officers will be developed,” said President Ruto.

The Head of State also announced that public servants who attain the retirement age of 60 years shall be required to immediately proceed on retirement, with no extensions to their tenure of service.

Additionally, Ruto mentioned that the new measures to cut spending in the Kenya Kwanza government would be followed by changes in positions.

“These measures will be followed by changes in government that I will be making shortly,” President Ruto added.