A recent report from the Controller of Budget sheds light on the extravagant travel expenses of Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), both within the country and abroad.
The report, covering the first quarter of the 2023-2024 financial year, exposes the fact that MCAs collectively consumed over Sh.3 billion in travel allowances within a mere three months.
Dr. Margaret Nyakango, the Controller of Budget, has expressed concern over what she deems unnecessary foreign and local travel, calling for a halt to such practices.
The report singles out MCAs in Nairobi, revealing that they spent a staggering Ksh.94 million on local travel alone during the three months, averaging Sh.31 million per month.
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Foreign trips were not spared from scrutiny, with Nairobi County MCAs having flown to international destinations without proper approval, spending Sh.8.9 million in just three months.
The report also highlights the profligate spending habits of MCAs in Migori County, who splurged Sh.81 million on local travel and an additional Sh.2.7 million in Tanzania, Uganda, and Norway.
Mombasa County’s MCAs exhibited a penchant for international travel, outspending their local travel expenses with a total of Sh.17 million.
High-end destinations like Singapore, Turkey, Dubai, and Switzerland were among the locations listed.
Narok County’s MCAs earned notoriety for their substantial local travel spending, amassing Sh.45.5 million in three months.
On the other hand, Marsabit County MCAs focused on local travel, foregoing international trips but still incurring substantial expenses.
Nyamira County Assembly witnessed MCAs spending a total of Sh.32 million on travel, while Nakuru County MCAs combined a Sh.40.9 million local travel expenditure with Sh.9.7 million spent in Arusha, Tanzania, Kampala, Uganda, and Indiana, USA.
Responding to the findings, the Nyamira Speaker emphasized the importance of obtaining clearance from the devolution ministry and department for foreign travel, asserting that no MCA can embark on such trips without proper authorization.
In light of the revelations, the Controller of Budget is now urging all county assemblies to seek clearance before undertaking foreign travel, to save taxpayers billions of shillings.
County Assembly Members Spend Over Sh.3 Billion On Travel In Just Three Months, County Assembly Members Spend Over Sh.3 Billion On Travel In Just Three Months
