The Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o has raised the alarm over the increase in the government's expenditure on foreign and domestic travel.
In her National Government Budget Implementation Review Report covering the first nine months of the 2023/2024 financial year, Nyakang'o revealed that Ksh18.18 billion had been used on travel.
This was an increase from the figures recorded the previous year despite President William Ruto's directive announcing the intention to cut down on travel costs.
On the other hand, she noted that some government institutions such as State House failed to submit reports detailing specifics for delegations that travelled abroad during the period under review.
"The report notes growth in travel expenditure by MDAs compared to a similar period in FY 2022/23. However, the Controller of Budget requested MDAs to submit information on foreign travel to enable review and analysis of compliance with government directives on foreign travel but some MDAs didn’t submit," read the report in part.
The other government institutions that failed to submit their reports on foreign travel were the Office of the Deputy President, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, the State Law Office, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The State Departments for; Correctional Services, Foreign Affairs, Basic Education, National Treasury, Medical Services, Shipping and Maritime Affairs, ICT, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Sports, Youth Affairs and the Arts, Livestock Development, Industry, Investment Promotion and Labour were also listed in the non-compliance list.
Other State Departments were; Petroleum, Public Service and EAC.
Nyakang'o also listed the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, The National Land Commission, the Parliamentary Service Commission, The National Assembly, the Parliamentary Joint Services, the Senate, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the Commission on Revenue Allocation and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The other two offices were the Auditor General and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
"In the period under review, the total expenditure on travel by MDAs was Ksh18.18 billion comprising Ksh12.33 billion and Ksh5.85 billion for domestic and foreign travel respectively.
"This recorded a 29.2 per cent growth (Ksh4.11 billion consisting of Ksh2.94 billion (31.3 per cent) and Ksh1.17 billion (25.1 per cent) for domestic and foreign travel respectively) compared to a similar period FY 2022/23," read the report in part.
Recommendations on Travel
As part of the report, the CoB also made recommendations aimed at enhancing efficiency in travel. This included limiting the delegations accompanying Cabinet Secretaries.
"Some directives include limiting the delegation headed by Cabinet Secretaries to four persons and limiting the cumulative days away to a maximum of seven days per travel, 15 days per quarter and 45 days per year
"Travel clearance applications should also be submitted at least seven working days before the travel date," read the report in part.
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