Congratulatory messages continue streaming in for President-elect, William Ruto and his Rigathi Gachagua even as the new Head of State imposed a ban on government ministries, agencies and departments from spending taxpayuers money congratulating him.
Instead, he said such moneis should be directed towards service delivery.
At the same time, Ministry of Devolution Principal Sectretary Julius Korir cautioned County governments against incurring cost through paid up advertisements congratulating Ruto.
In a circular addressed to all county governments, Korir statement directed that all counties immediately desist from procuring the extravagant congratulatory advertisements.
He said that the adverts were expensive and risked creating financial burden to the counties involved.
“Public Financial Management is reinforced in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and chapter 12 (201) (d) highlights that “public money shall be used in a prudent and responsible way,” the statement read.
“In light of the above and also in line with advice from the President-elect these congratulatory adverts are hereby discouraged with immediate effect,” the statement added.
Counties that wished to send congratulatory messages to the President-elect were advised to explore cheaper alternatives such as social media.
“The counties are further encouraged to cut on wastage as the same resources can be used to provide essential services to Kenyans, in line with their priorities, in projects that impact their lives. It is the desire of the new administration to give Kenyans value for their money.” the statement read.
This is after the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s victory dismissing petitions filed by Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga due to lack of evidence and forgery of documents declaring that there were no irregularities or interferences with the election process.
“We declare the election of the first respondent (William Ruto) as President elect,” Koome read.
Among the congratulatory messages received were those from the County Governments both on social media and the Daily newspapers.
Kenya’s Supreme Court has upheld William Ruto as the fifth president following the 9 August polls.
Judges unanimously agreed that there were no discrepancies, irregularities, nor interferences as alleged in a petition filed by opposition candidate Raila Odinga. The ruling puts an end to weeks of tension in the country.