Government spent Sh1 billion on foreign travel in three months - CoB
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
The expenditure, which covers the period from July to September 2024, highlights the significant costs associated with the government's foreign engagements.
The National Government has spent over Sh1 billion on foreign travel in the first three months of the Financial Year 2024-2025, according to a report by the Controller of Budget.
The expenditure, which covers the period from July to September 2024, highlights the significant costs associated with the government's foreign engagements.
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The report shows that Sh1.10 billion was allocated to foreign travel, while domestic travel expenses amounted to Sh2.49 billion. Much of the foreign travel expenditure was concentrated in a few government departments.
The biggest spender was the State Department of Foreign Affairs, which alone accounted for Sh574.66 million, representing over 50 per cent of the total foreign travel expenditure for the national government.
The large expenditure was attributed to the department's diplomatic and international engagements, often requiring travel to various foreign destinations for meetings, conferences, and bilateral discussions.
Other major contributors to the foreign travel bill included the National Assembly and Senate, which spent Sh173.96 million and Sh80.61 million, respectively.
The Parliamentary Joint Services also recorded significant expenditure, amounting to Sh48.42 million.
The Judiciary's foreign travel expenditure stood at Sh39.56 million, while the Office of the Auditor General spent Sh29.20 million.
The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services also had a substantial spend of Sh27.87 million.
Other government agencies and departments that contributed to the foreign travel total include the State Department for Diaspora Affairs (Sh10.98 million), the State Department for Labour and Skills Development (Sh11.10 million), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Sh14.68 million).
In contrast, some of the government's top offices had lower foreign travel costs.
The Office of the President spent Sh1.34 million, while the State House allocated Sh5.77 million.
The Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary spent Sh9.38 million, and the Office of the Deputy President spent Sh1.72 million.
Despite the high foreign travel expenditure, some critics have questioned the allocation of government funds, suggesting that the focus should be on addressing domestic challenges, including rising inflation and underfunded public services
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