Lavish trips: Counties splash Sh6.6 billion on foreign travel in six months as workers struggle

County governments drained Sh6.6 billion from public coffers on foreign trips in just six months, with officials jetting off to European capitals, Dubai and Singapore.

While the county officials travelled in luxury, public hospitals faced shortages, and health workers' demands for better pay were brushed aside due to alleged financial constraints.

Between July 1 and December 31, 2024, taxpayer money funded trips to the Paris Olympics, cultural festivals, and conferences on firefighting and pyrethrum in the UK, according to the Controller of Budget report.

The lavish spending came only two months after a crippling doctors' strike left patients stranded, with medics still waiting for improved salaries and the hiring of trainee doctors unresolved.

Ten counties Nairobi – Machakos, Kitui, Nyandarua, Kajiado, Kakamega, Meru, Kisumu, Busia, and Baringo – had the largest travel delegations, collectively spending Sh2.4 billion, about a third of the total foreign travel budget.

The report highlights that countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, Dubai, Tanzania, and Germany were among the most visited destinations by county officials.

Nairobi County, led by Governor Johnson Sakaja, spent Sh15 million in July 2024 to send seven executives to Singapore for "experiential learning on economic empowerment in devolved units".

Additionally, Sh4.9 million was used for 15 executives to travel to Tanzania for training on revenue collection. Six officers were also sent to Dubai for a workshop on decision-making, costing taxpayers Sh3.8 million.

Lamu County facilitated one officer's travel to the Paris Olympics from July 26 to August 12, 2024. Tana River County, under Governor Dhadho Godhana, spent Sh2.2 million on three officers for a five-day C-suite seminar in Singapore.

Brazil livestock conference

Machakos County, under Governor Wavinya Ndeti, spent Sh3.4 million on five county executives to attend a livestock and food security conference in Brazil.

Three other officials received Sh1.4 million for a trip to the UK to meet women MPs and Kenyan diaspora representatives.

Kericho County, under Governor Erick Mutai, allocated Sh2.3 million for six officers to attend leadership and policy implementation training in Arusha, Tanzania. An additional Sh1.2 million was used for three officials to explore investment opportunities in Uganda.

Kisumu County, led by Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, spent Sh2.8 million to send two officers to a summit with Endless Mountain Mercy Mission International in the US. Four county assembly officers also attended a cultural event in Uganda, costing Sh636,480.

Baringo County Assembly spent Sh2.4 million to send eight members to a digital conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

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Meanwhile, Bomet County allocated Sh14 million for 14 officers to attend a Dubai conference on the role of the legislature in influencing government programs. One officer also travelled to the United Kingdom for a pyrethrum revival meeting, costing Sh992,663.

One-day UK workshop

Nandi County, under Governor Stephen Sang, sent an officer to the UK for a one-day emergency fire response workshop, spending Sh875,136. The county assembly also spent Sh2.9 million for seven officers to attend a UAE meeting on smart solutions for sustainable county development.

Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu’s Narok County used Sh1.9 million to send two officers on an industrial tour of Italy and Germany. Another Sh1.6 million was spent on two officials attending the World Wilderness Congress in the US.

Kisii County, under Governor Simba Arati, allocated Sh3.5 million for seven officers to participate in a mentorship programme by the Shanghai Development Foundation on public policy-making.

Makueni County spent Sh2 million to send three officers to Morocco for an MoU signing ceremony with the regional council of Marrakech-Safi.

Mandera County spent Sh522,340 for an officer to attend a United Nations simulation conference in Turkey on future leadership in a post-pandemic era.

Mombasa County spent Sh4.2 million for seven assembly members to train on disaster preparedness and risk management in Dubai.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s Murang’a County sent five officers to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany for coffee and tea cupping sessions, spending Sh2.6 million.

Nyeri County, under Governor Mutahi Kahiga, used Sh6.5 million for 18 officers to study East Africa Legislative Assembly structures in Arusha, Tanzania.

Samburu County spent Sh7.8 million on nine officers for leadership and public health management training in Ethiopia.

Tharaka Nithi County used Sh11 million to send two officers to the UK for fire engine and emergency response equipment sourcing.

West Pokot County spent Sh1.5 million on two officers travelling to India for Jamhuri Day celebrations in New Delhi.