NAIROBI, Kenya – The government spent more than Ksh.11.6 billion on travel in just nine months of the 2024/25 Financial Year, raising fresh questions about President William Ruto’s austerity promises.
This is according to the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o’s National Government Budget Implementation Review Report, which reviewed the period between July 2024 and March 2025.
Despite a vow to slash non-essential government spending in the wake of Gen Z-led anti-government protests in June, the report paints a picture of runaway recurrent expenditure, particularly on travel.
Domestic vs Foreign Travel: Who Spent What?
Out of the total Ksh.1.2 trillion government expenditure during the period—70% of revised gross estimates—Ksh.11.6 billion went to domestic travel, while Ksh.5.1 billion was used for foreign trips.
The report reveals:
- President Ruto’s office spent Ksh.145.36 million on domestic travel and Ksh.30 million on foreign travel.
- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s office used Ksh.196.22 million on domestic trips and Ksh.22 million abroad.
- Members of Parliament spent Ksh.3.3 billion on local travel and another Ksh.1.014 billion on foreign travel.
- Senators used Ksh.902 million and Ksh.438 million for domestic and foreign travel, respectively.
Austerity in Words, Not Action?
The figures come just months after President Ruto publicly suspended all non-essential travel by public officials as part of a wider austerity campaign.
But the report suggests that these cost-cutting directives have yet to take root.
The contrast between the president’s pledges and the actual spending is fueling public frustration, especially among the youth-led movement that has increasingly demanded accountability on government spending.
The revelation comes amid growing concerns about Kenya’s rising debt, poor service delivery, and government extravagance.
Analysts warn that unless real action is taken to curb recurrent expenditure, austerity will remain little more than political theatre.
