Kenyans question Gov't expenditure as MPs travel to Mombasa by SGR

Kenyans have raised eyebrows over Members of Parliament's decision to travel by train to Mombasa for the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Sports Games, with many questioning whether the move will actually save public funds.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula revealed that ordinarily, the round-trip cost for each MP’s business class ticket is a staggering Ksh.70,000, and that SGR travel would reduce public spending.

"We decided as Parliament to join the rest of Kenyans in austerity measures so that we minimize spending," said Wetangula.

Some MPs hopped on the Premium VIP Coach, which costs Ksh.12,000, while others opted for the First Class Coach at Ksh.4,500. That means the maximum amount one MP could spend on transport to Mombasa and back is Ksh.24,000.

On Jambojet, a one-way ticket from Nairobi to Mombasa averages Ksh.16,000, while a return trip is estimated at around Ksh.29,000.

On the Kenya Airways website, business class tickets cost Ksh.34,000 one way, with return trips priced around Ksh.60,000.

The breakdown for the return trip of an estimated 50 MPs on SGR would cost Ksh.1.2 million, Jambojet Ksh.1.4 million, and Kenya Airways Ksh.3 million.

However, air tickets booked one or two months in advance are much cheaper. MPs argue that apart from observing austerity measures, they should occasionally experience a train journey to better understand the realities faced by the public.

"It is good for us also to enjoy such facilities and infrastructure, not just for Kenyans but for leaders too," Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi said.

Kitui Senator Enock Wambua added: "Parliament is the biggest supporter of KQ, from the right pocket to the left pocket."

MPs are expected to participate in the inter-parliamentary games, which will conclude on December 17th. However, a group of MPs traveling from Tanzania by bus were involved in a road accident, resulting in 16 MPs being injured.

Earlier this year, President William Ruto announced that the government would reduce travel expenditures to minimize the use of public resources.

These austerity measures build on previous government efforts. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta introduced the use of more affordable VW Passat vehicle models to help curb government spending, but the practice did not seem to catch on.