The Controller of Budget has raised concerns regarding excessive travel expenditures across the three branches of government, with Members of Parliament (MPs) at the forefront of spending billions on both domestic and international trips.
According to the first-quarter report from the Controller of Budget, a total of Ksh. 3.5 billion was allocated for travel within just four months, comprising Ksh. 2.5 billion for local travel and Ksh. 1 billion for international travel.
The report highlights that MPs have engaged in what is termed “honourable extravagance,” with National Assembly members alone incurring Ksh. 870 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 173 million for trips abroad within the same four-month timeframe.
The Senate has also come under scrutiny, having spent Ksh. 345.7 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 80.6 million on foreign travel during this period.
Other parliamentary departments, such as the Parliamentary Service Commission, reported expenditures of Ksh. 10.7 million for travel within the same timeframe.
The Parliamentary Joint Services accounted for Ksh. 94.6 million in travel expenses during the review period overseen by Margaret Nyakang’o.
During this same period, the Office of the President reported spending Ksh. 11 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 1.3 million on international travel.
Additionally, State House recorded Ksh. 43 million in domestic travel expenses and Ksh. 5.8 million for foreign travel from July to October.
The expenditures highlighted by the Controller of Budget reflect a significant disregard for the austerity measures proposed by President William Ruto.
