Governors and MCAs Under Fire for Lavish Travel Spending: Sh17 Billion Splash in a Time of Crisis

In a shocking revelation, a recent report from the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, has unveiled the staggering amount spent by governors and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) on travel, totaling Sh17.60 billion. This hefty expenditure, which comes amid widespread cash shortages and delayed worker payments across counties, has drawn sharp criticism for its perceived extravagance.

The report, covering the 2023-24 financial year, categorizes this expenditure into Sh15.28 billion for domestic travel and Sh2.32 billion for international trips. Nyakang’o has described these expenses as “wasteful,” highlighting a concerning trend of overspending on travel despite the financial constraints faced by many counties.

The findings reveal that Nairobi, Turkana, and Machakos are the leading spenders, with Nairobi City topping the list. The capital city alone disbursed Sh1.18 billion on travel, breaking down to Sh861.57 million on domestic trips and Sh328.33 million on international travel. Turkana followed closely, spending Sh1.19 billion, with Sh943.44 million allocated for domestic and Sh248.98 million for international travel. Machakos County, under Governor Wavinya Ndeti, expended Sh801.44 million.

Other significant spenders include Nakuru, which spent Sh647.02 million, and West Pokot, which splurged Sh601.76 million. These counties’ expenditures on travel are noteworthy, particularly given the backdrop of ongoing financial challenges and unpaid wages for county employees.

The report further details that Nairobi City had several high-cost trips, including a 10-day excursion to Morocco involving 19 county officials, costing Sh37.23 million. Another notable trip was to the UAE for a Facilities and Training conference, costing Sh29.77 million. Nairobi also spent Sh10.92 million on a seminar in Vancouver, Canada, attended by 14 officials.

Similarly, Elgeyo Marakwet saw 47 MCAs traveling to Arusha for a benchmarking trip, which set them back Sh16.67 million. In Kwale, MCAs and staff traveled to Malaysia for a study tour at a cost of Sh4.83 million, while Meru’s 50 executive officials spent Sh10.67 million on training in Arusha.

The report also highlights other significant travel expenses, such as Mombasa’s Sh6.47 million for a seminar on Artificial Intelligence in Turkey and Nyeri’s Sh517,500 spent on a pension summit in the Netherlands. In Siaya, Sh3.57 million was used for a promotion tour in Iran, and Bungoma spent Sh4.80 million on a high-level meeting in Israel.

The excessive travel spending is juxtaposed against counties that spent considerably less on development programs. For example, Garissa, Embu, and Elgeyo Marakwet allocated much lower amounts, ranging from Sh133.75 million to Sh163.66 million. These figures contrast sharply with the lavish travel expenses, fueling concerns about the allocation of public funds and the prioritization of essential services.

The report underscores a broader issue of fiscal mismanagement, reflecting a trend seen also at the national level, where large delegations and significant travel costs have been criticized. Nyakang’o has urged county governments to reduce travel expenditures and redirect funds towards critical development programs. The call for austerity and more prudent financial management comes at a crucial time when many counties are struggling with severe cash flow issues and unpaid salaries.

As public scrutiny intensifies, the focus now shifts to how county officials will address these concerns and whether there will be tangible reforms to curb excessive spending. The revelation of such substantial travel expenses amid financial hardship highlights a pressing need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.