Counties splashed Sh7.7 bn on travel

Counties spent a whopping Sh7.75 billion on local and foreign travel in the year ended June, a line of expenditure that has also seen MPs come under intense public criticism in the past couple of months.

Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo says in her latest review of how county governments spent money in the past financial year that they used Sh5.5 billion for local travel and an additional Sh2 billion for foreign travel. County representatives accounted for 75 per cent or Sh1.5 billion of the foreign travel spends with the remaining share being used by the executives of the devolved units.

Mrs Odhiambo wants the travel expenditure curbed, arguing that some of the foreign travel by MCAs on study tours were unplanned and without appointments. “We recommend that foreign travel be minimised and co-ordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to facilitate proper planning and enhance prudent use of public funds,” she said.

She added that some Kenyan missions in foreign countries had made formal complaints regarding foreign travel by governors, county executives and MCAs, suggesting they were in breach of protocol. She wants the frequency, size of delegations with some running to 50 people and unplanned foreign travel checked.

The budget report showed that five counties including Kwale, Kirinyaga, Migori, Muranga and Vihiga spent above their travel ceilings. Migori is listed as the biggest spender on travel having used Sh369.4 million followed by Nakuru (Sh357.7 million), Kajiado (Sh331 million), Kiambu (Sh329 million) and Machakos (Sh304 million).

Nairobi, which had the largest county budget of Sh25 billion, spent Sh134 million on travels.

In the past financial year, Parliament used Sh2.4 billion on local travel and Sh632.4 million for foreign travel. The Sh3 billion travel bill means each of the 349 MPs and 67 Senators cost the taxpayer Sh7.3 million in travelling expenses alone.