- Controller of Budget exposes MCAs’ excessive spending on local and foreign travel
- Nairobi County MCAs lead in local travel, spending Ksh. 94 million in three months
- Dr. Nyakango calls for a halt and foreign travel clearance to save taxpayer funds
The Controller of Budget has exposed members of county assemblies (MCAs) for their exorbitant expenditures on both domestic and foreign travel.
Controller of budget, Margaret Nyakang’o
Dr. Margaret Nyakango, the Controller of Budget, has raised a red flag, calling for an immediate halt to what she perceives as unnecessary travel.
According to the report, MCAs collectively consumed billions of shillings in travel allowances within just three months. The figures indicate that over Ksh. 3 billion was spent by MCAs on travel, whether on roads or in the skies during foreign trips.
Dr. Margaret Nyakango has specifically pointed out the alarming spending patterns of MCAs in the capital, Nairobi. In just three months, Nairobi County MCAs reportedly spent Ksh. 94 million on local travel alone, translating to Ksh. 31 million every month.
Foreign travel has not escaped scrutiny, with Nairobi County MCAs reportedly spending Ksh. 8.9 million on foreign trips within the same period, without proper approval. Dr. Nyakango emphasizes the need for a cessation of such unauthorized foreign and local travel.
Other counties also face censure in the report. In Migori County, MCAs spent Ksh. 81 million on local travel and an additional Ksh. 2.7 million in Tanzania, Uganda, and Norway. Mombasa County MCAs surpassed local travel expenses with Ksh. 17 million spent on foreign trips to destinations like Singapore, Turkey, Dubai, and Switzerland.
Narok County MCAs are spotlighted for their significant local travel expenses, totaling Ksh. 45.5 million in three months. Marsabit County MCAs, while not traveling abroad during the period, also incurred substantial costs on local travel.
The budget report further highlights spending in Nyamira County Assembly, where MCAs spent a total of Ksh. 32 million on travel. In Nakuru County, MCAs not only claimed Ksh. 40.9 million for local travel but also spent Ksh. 9.7 million in Arusha, Tanzania, Kampala, Uganda, and Indiana, United States of America.
Addressing concerns, the Nyamira Speaker stated, “What we know is all foreign travels are cleared by the devolution ministry and department… no MCA can travel without a clearance from that office.”
In response to these revelations, the Controller of Budget is now urging all county assemblies to obtain foreign travel clearance before embarking on trips, emphasizing the need to save taxpayers billions of shillings.
