Controller of Budget exposes wastage of billions by MPs through travel

The first-quarter report by the Controller of Budget shows that in only four months, Ksh. 3.5 billion was spent on travel, with Ksh. 2.5 billion spent locally and Ksh. 1 billion spent on foreign travel.

The Controller of Budget report says MPs have turned to "honourable extravagance," with National Assembly members spending Ksh. 870 million on domestic travel in four months and Ksh. 173 million to tour other cities outside the country.

The other wing of the Senate is also on the Controller of Budget's radar for spending Ksh. 345.7 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 80.6 million on foreign travel in four months alone.

Other departments in Parliament, like the Parliamentary Service Commission, spent Ksh. 10.7 million to move around during the same period.

The Parliamentary Joint Services, on its end, gobbled up Ksh. 94.6 million during the same period under review by the Margaret Nyakang’o-led office.

The Office of the President during the same period spent Ksh. 11 million on domestic travel and Ksh. 1.3 million on foreign travel.

An additional expenditure under State House saw Ksh. 43 million spent from July to October on domestic travel alone, and Ksh. 5.8 million on foreign travel.

The expenditure flagged by the Controller of Budget indicated a total disregard for austerity measures announced by President William Ruto.