Governors, MCAs splash Sh17.6bn on trips as counties struggle with cash crunch

A new report has exposed how county governments are spending billions on travel, both within Kenya and abroad.

Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o has faulted these expenditures, revealing that governors and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) collectively spent Sh17.60 billion on travel during the last Financial Year, 2023-2024.

This includes Sh15.28 billion for domestic trips and Sh2.32 billion for foreign journeys.

Nyakang'o described these expenditures as wasteful, especially as many counties are experiencing financial difficulties and have been unable to pay their workers for months.

For instance, Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja each spent more than Sh1 billion on travel.

Turkana's total travel expenditure was Sh1.19 billion, with Sh943.44 million allocated to domestic trips and Sh248.98 million to international ones.

Nairobi followed closely with Sh1.18 billion spent, including Sh861.57 million on domestic and Sh328.33 million on foreign travel.

Machakos County also had significant travel costs, spending Sh801.44 million.

Other high spenders include Nakuru with Sh647.02 million and West Pokot with Sh601.76 million.

Highest spenders

The report highlights that Nairobi City had the highest expenditure on foreign travel at Sh328.33 million, followed by Machakos at Sh148.68 million, Kitui at Sh128.4 million, Kericho at Sh105.8 million, and Nakuru at Sh102.89 million.

Additionally, Kitui spent Sh515.76 million, Narok Sh510.08 million, Kwale Sh499.95 million, Meru Sh480.67 million, Kisumu Sh472.54 million, Wajir Sh417.19 million, and Tana River Sh488.51 million on various travel activities.

Kericho, Kakamega, Bungoma, Kiambu, and Kajiado also had substantial travel expenditures, with amounts at Sh426.69 million, Sh418.64 million, Sh419.79 million, Sh479.39 million and Sh430.44 million respectively

Going further, Nyakang'o has urged county governments to reduce travel expenses by conducting more activities within their headquarters and redirecting funds to important development projects.

The report also criticizes the trend of large delegations travelling for official duties, a practice that mirrors similar issues at the national government level.

For example, Nairobi county officials spent Sh37.23 million on a 10-day trip to Morocco.

Another delegation from City Hall spent Sh29.77 million on a six-day conference in the UAE, while a third group spent Sh10.92 million attending a seminar in Canada.

Other notable travel expenses include Elgeyo Marakwet's Sh16.67 million for 47 MCAs travelling to Arusha, Kwale's Sh4.83 million for a study tour in Malaysia, and Meru's Sh10.67 million for 50 officials attending training in Arusha.

Mombasa spent Sh6.47 million on seven officials attending an AI seminar in Turkey.

Narok spent Sh3.10 million on 10 officers travelling to Tanzania for Mara Day celebrations. Nyeri paid Sh517,500 for Governor Mutahi Kahiga and his assistant to attend a summit in the Netherlands, and Sh6.20 million for 13 officials attending capacity-building training in Arusha.

Siaya spent Sh3.57 million for five officers promoting economic cooperation in Iran. Bungoma spent Sh4.80 million on five officers attending a high-level meeting in Israel.

Earlier reports from the Controller of Budget highlighted the national government's spending of Sh27.34 billion on travel, with large delegations often accompanying these trips.

This situation has raised concerns about adherence to guidelines that recommend minimizing delegation sizes and enforcing stricter controls.

In contrast, counties like Garissa, Embu, and Elgeyo Marakwet spent relatively less on development.

Garissa spent Sh133.75 million, Embu Sh159.08 million, and Elgeyo Marakwet Sh163.66 million.

Others are Mandera (Sh162.94 million) and Kirinyaga (Sh179.47 million), Mombasa (Sh190.06 million), Laikipia (Sh184.97 million), Lamu (Sh198.77 million), Isiolo (Sh205.93 million) and Marsabit (Sh252.75 million).