The Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang'o, has raised alarms over county governments' excessive spending on travel, which has reached Ksh.17 billion.
This includes Ksh.15.28 billion on domestic travel and Ksh.2.32 billion on international trips.
Counties like Turkana, Nairobi City, and Machakos were the top spenders, with their leaders and officials frequently traveling to destinations such as Dubai, Canada, and China despite a government directive freezing non-essential travel for the 2023-2024 financial year.
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Nyakang'o criticized county officials for disregarding the travel freeze and questioned the necessity of such trips.
"Domestic travel is the highest spending item, yet we are not convinced that this level of travel is necessary," she said.
She also pointed out that many county employees traveled to claim daily subsistence allowances (DSA), often including entire offices and assemblies.
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Turkana County, under Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, led the spending, with Ksh.943.44 million allocated to travel, including Ksh.694.46 million by the executive branch. In one case, ten officials spent Ksh.2.9 million on a trip to Uganda for a court case involving convicted pastoralists.
Under Governor Johnson Sakaja, Nairobi County was another top spender, using Ksh.861.57 million on travel, with Ksh.328.33 million allocated for international trips.
A 19-member delegation attended a proactive management program in Marrakesh, Morocco, costing Ksh.37.23 million.
Machakos County, led by Governor Wavinya Ndeti, spent Ksh.801.44 million on travel. Other counties with significant expenditures include Nakuru, West Pokot, Kitui, and Kisumu.
Nyakang'o's report highlights a disregard for budgetary prudence amidst growing concerns over wasteful spending.
