All roads leading to Parliament were blocked by police trucks yesterday.
Harambee Avenue was sealed off at the Jogoo House junction, with Parliament Road rendered a no-go zone for motorists from the Holy Family Basillica roundabout.
Police in civilian and uniform – on horses and foot - manned the routes.
Traffic, GSU and Administration Police officers patrolled both in and outside Parliament, all in readiness for the man of the moment, Treasury CS Prof Njuguna Ndung’u.
Outside the Treasury building, a sparse crowd milled around to catch a glimpse of the CS as he went to Parliament to unveil the 2024-25 budget.
That was unlike the past when huge crowds gathered all over the roads to cheer the CS. Only a few people could be seen stopping to see the CS.
The few people who were along Harambee Avenue and Parliament Road went about their businesses.
The Treasury building entrance was colourfully decorated, with a red carpet rolled out for the Cabinet Secretary.
The Treasury choir clad in navy green uniform belted out songs while waiting for the CS to emerge from his office.
Moments before 2.15pm, CS Ndung’u in a navy blue suit, sky blue shirt and a matching red dotted necktie emerged holding the black budget briefcase embossed with the national Coat of Arms.
The CS was accompanied by Finance PS Chris Kiptoo. A small crowd cheered them.
Hawk-eyed security officers arrested a man, believed to be an activist, who attempted to disrupt the photo session.
Njuguna abandoned his fuel-guzzler car for a Passat, a low-capacity car, amid tight security.
The choice of the Passat, perhaps to send a message of the government’s austerity measures in the wake of tough economic times, has been debated.
Every successive CS abandons the car soon after delivering the budget speech, triggering the talks of the government mocking the very austerity measures it announces yearly.
From Treasury, a police chase car escorted CS Njuguna and his convoy along Harambee Avenue to Parliament. The journey took about 10 minutes, arriving at exactly 2.25pm.
He was received by National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee chairman Ndindi Nyoro, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro.
Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, Deputy Majority Whip Naomi Waqo and National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge were present.
Njuguna’s predecessor Ukur Yattani was often accompanied by close family members.
He was accompanied by PS Kiptoo, Central Bank of Kenya Governor Kamau Thugge and top officials in the ministry.
