Governors, MCAs spent Sh16 billion on travel in one year, says CoB Margaret Nyakang’o
The report by Margaret Nyakang’o shows that Sh14.22 billion went to domestic travel, while another Sh2.01 billion was used on international trips.
A new expenditure review by the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, has lifted the lid on the huge amounts counties continue to commit to travel, revealing that governors, MCAs and county staff spent more than Sh16.2 billion on trips within Kenya and abroad in the year ending June 2025.
The report by Nyakang’o shows that Sh14.22 billion went to domestic travel, while another Sh2.01 billion was used on international trips. Popular destinations within Africa included Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa, while other counties sent delegations to Dubai, Singapore, the United States, the Netherlands, France and Japan.
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The revelations are set to reignite debate over the financial priorities of county governments, with fresh questions raised over costly benchmarking, workshops and conferences that consume a large share of public resources.
Nairobi emerged as the highest spender with Sh863.3 million, part of which was used to fund trips to Dubai and Malaysia.
Thirteen county employees spent Sh28.43 million to attend a cybersecurity training in the UAE, while 25 staff of the Nairobi Revenue Authority used Sh23.40 million on a study visit to Malaysia focusing on revenue automation and tax governance.
Machakos followed with Sh631.2 million in travel bills. Five executives attended the Livestock and Food Security Initiative Conference in Brazil at Sh9.65 million, while one official received Sh8.16 million to participate in a fire emergency response workshop in the UK.
The report also lists a Sh3.55 million bill for 14 MCAs who travelled to Arusha for a capacity-building visit to the East African Legislative Assembly, and Sh3.29 million for six MCAs who undertook a governance and leadership programme in Singapore.
Turkana spent Sh623.38 million, Tana River Sh620.22 million, and Kitui Sh609.17 million on similar assignments. West Pokot, which spent Sh539.77 million, is flagged for using Sh8.4 million to send 14 MCAs to Dubai for a Leadership and Excellence Programme.
Other counties with high travel bills include Nakuru at Sh571.97 million, Kakamega at Sh525 million, Meru at Sh492.29 million, Narok at Sh465.07 million, Kajiado at Sh427.02 million, and Nyandarua at Sh404.14 million.
With the totals running into billions, the Controller of Budget warns that travel continues to pile pressure on devolved budgets, diverting funds that could otherwise support essential services.
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