NAIROBI, Kenya – In just four months, Kenya’s government has spent a staggering Ksh. 3.5 billion on travel expenses, with Members of Parliament (MPs) topping the list of extravagant spenders, according to the latest report from the Controller of Budget.
The report reveals that Ksh. 2.5 billion was spent on domestic travel, while Ksh. 1 billion was allocated for foreign trips.
The National Assembly alone accounted for Ksh. 870 million in domestic travel expenses and an additional Ksh. 173 million for international trips.
The Senate followed suit, spending Ksh. 345.7 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 80.6 million on foreign tours.
Other parliamentary bodies, such as the Parliamentary Service Commission, spent Ksh. 10.7 million, while the Parliamentary Joint Services recorded expenditures of Ksh. 94.6 million during the same period.
The Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, criticized the “honourable extravagance” of the legislature, noting a lack of restraint despite repeated calls for financial prudence.
While Parliament dominated spending, the Executive was not left unscathed. The Office of the President spent Ksh. 11 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 1.3 million on foreign travel.
Meanwhile, State House operations added another Ksh. 43 million in domestic travel costs and Ksh. 5.8 million for international trips.
These expenditures come despite President William Ruto’s public commitment to austerity measures aimed at addressing the country’s financial challenges.
The revelations have sparked public outcry, with Kenyans questioning the prioritization of travel expenses at a time when the country faces economic hardship.
Critics argue that such lavish spending undermines efforts to curb wastage and fund critical sectors like healthcare and education.
Civil society groups and budget analysts have called for tighter controls on government expenditure, urging a review of travel policies and the adoption of cost-saving measures such as virtual meetings.
“The continued splurging on travel by the three arms of government is a slap in the face of taxpayers who are already overburdened,” said a governance expert.
The report reveals that Ksh. 2.5 billion was spent on domestic travel, while Ksh. 1 billion was allocated for foreign trips.
The National Assembly alone accounted for Ksh. 870 million in domestic travel expenses and an additional Ksh. 173 million for international trips.
The Senate followed suit, spending Ksh. 345.7 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 80.6 million on foreign tours.
Other parliamentary bodies, such as the Parliamentary Service Commission, spent Ksh. 10.7 million, while the Parliamentary Joint Services recorded expenditures of Ksh. 94.6 million during the same period.
The Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, criticized the “honourable extravagance” of the legislature, noting a lack of restraint despite repeated calls for financial prudence.
While Parliament dominated spending, the Executive was not left unscathed. The Office of the President spent Ksh. 11 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 1.3 million on foreign travel.
Meanwhile, State House operations added another Ksh. 43 million in domestic travel costs and Ksh. 5.8 million for international trips.
These expenditures come despite President William Ruto’s public commitment to austerity measures aimed at addressing the country’s financial challenges.
The revelations have sparked public outcry, with Kenyans questioning the prioritization of travel expenses at a time when the country faces economic hardship.
Critics argue that such lavish spending undermines efforts to curb wastage and fund critical sectors like healthcare and education.
Civil society groups and budget analysts have called for tighter controls on government expenditure, urging a review of travel policies and the adoption of cost-saving measures such as virtual meetings.
“The continued splurging on travel by the three arms of government is a slap in the face of taxpayers who are already overburdened,” said a governance expert.
