•Ruto said the doctors should understand that the country does not have resources to increase wages for its workers
•He said the county must operate within available resources and means instead of going to the extent of borrowing loans to pay wages
President William Ruto is asking striking doctors to resume work and accept what the government has offered to hire intern doctors. https://rb.gy/5kk6pu
Image: PCS
President William Ruto is asking striking doctors to resume work and accept what the government has offered to hire intern doctors.
Ruto emphasized that doctors need to realize that the country doesn't have the resources to raise wages for its workers.
He stressed that the county must manage within its available resources instead of resorting to borrowing to pay wages.
"We must tell ourselves the truth that time has come for us to live within our means", Ruto said.
He was speaking at the AIC Church in Eldoret where he attended a Sunday service.
The Head of State said the government had offered to pay a stipend of Sh70,000 each for for 1,500 interns for one year after which they would be employed
"That is what we can offer and we have availed resources to have all the 1500 intern doctors absorbed at once", said Ruto.
The President mentioned that the country's wage bill is excessively high, currently standing at 47 percent of all revenue collected, instead of the recommended 35 percent.
"We can not continue to spend the money we don't have", Ruto noted.
The President also mentioned that the government had arranged a conference on the 16th and 17th of this month to address the wage bill issue.
He stated that out of the 2.2 Trillion collected as revenue annually, the government utilizes Sh1.1 Trillion to pay wages.
"We want to have a conversation on the wage bill because its a fact that we must now live within our means", Ruto added.
The President emphasized the need for intentional actions to decrease the wage bill.
This would free up resources to generate employment opportunities and support funding for healthcare, education, and other development programs.
He mentioned the government's goal to reduce the country's budget from 4.2 Trillion to 3.7 Trillion as part of efforts "to ensure that we live within our means."
"We must be honest with ourselves and the truth is that we must live within our means. we can not borrow money to pay salaries",Ruto added
Furthermore, the Head of State affirmed that under his leadership, the country was heading in the right direction towards economic recovery, and he vowed to continue making decisions that benefit all Kenyans.
Concurrently, Ruto noted that the country was experiencing God's favor, with farmers prospering thanks to the favorable weather conditions leading to increased food production.