The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A recent report discloses that Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) have utilized over Ksh.3 billion on travels within a three-month period. The report from the Controller of the Budget exposes the extravagant spending of MCAs on both domestic and international trips. During the first quarter of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, MCAs were found to have consumed billions in travel allowances in just three months.
In this timeframe, MCAs collectively spent more than Ksh.3 billion on travels, whether by road or air, for foreign trips. Dr. Margaret Nyakango, the Controller of Budget, has expressed concern about what she deems as unnecessary foreign and local travel.
The report singles out MCAs in Nairobi for the highest expenditure on local travel, totaling Ksh.94 million in three months, equivalent to Ksh.31 million per month exclusively on local travel. Nairobi County MCAs also incurred Ksh.8.9 million in expenses for foreign travel during this period, with the Controller of Budget noting that these foreign trips were not approved.
Migori County MCAs are identified as extravagant, having spent Ksh.81 million on local travel and an additional Ksh.2.7 million in Tanzania, Uganda, and Norway within three months. Mombasa County MCAs surpassed their local travel spending with Ksh.17 million on foreign trips to destinations like Singapore, Turkey, Dubai, and Switzerland.
Narok County MCAs are labeled as prolific local travelers, as the report reveals they spent Ksh.45.5 million on local travel within three months, without any foreign travel during that period. Similarly, Marsabit County MCAs did not travel abroad but spent millions on local travel.
The Controller of the Budget emphasizes that all foreign travels should be cleared by the devolution ministry and department, stating that no MCA should embark on a trip without clearance from that office. The report calls for all county assemblies to obtain foreign travel clearance before undertaking trips, aiming to save taxpayers billions of shillings.
