Kenyans Bash MCAs Who Booked Weston Hotel for Training

by Derrick Okubasu on Wednesday, 16 November 2022 - 6:16 pm

Entrance to Weston Hotel in Nairobi.

Twitter

Members of Kericho County Assembly on Wednesday, November 16, attracted the ire of Kenyans after they booked Weston Hotel for a training session.

A letter from Paul Chirchir requesting for finding from the county assembly's speaker first surfaced on the evening of Sunday, November 15.

"In reference to the standing order No 177, I hereby request for facilitation of all members of county assembly to Nairobi (Weston Hotel) from November 15, 2022 to November 20, 2022.

"The purpose of the meeting is to conduct pre-vetting of County Chief Officers nominees," read the letter in part.

Entrance to Kericho County Assembly.

File

Soon after, reports emerged that the assembly had approved the budged estimated to be well over Ksh2 million shillings.

The lawmakers were scheduled to travel to Weston Hotel for a five-day training on how they will vet the list of nominated Chief Officers positions.

A report by Nation indicated that the MCAs were entitled to a night allowance of Ksh14,000 among other benefits.

Kenyans were, however, enraged by the approval arguing that it was a flagrant waste of money whereas other people are struggling to make ends meet.

"Kericho MCA'S travelling all the way to Weston Hotel to vet their cabinet. What are county assemblies build for? Or rather can't they promote local hotels and facilities in Kericho?" Questioned Kambura Rachael.

"A week ago President Ruto instructed Treasury to cut Ksh300 billion from annual government spending to bring the country 'back to sanity'.

"On county level, Kericho MCA's will travel all the way to Nairobi Weston Hotel to pre-vet chief officers? Can't this process be done in Kericho?" Wondered Boniface Mwangi.

For years, Weston Hotel, which is linked to President William Ruto, has been a source of controversy over the land's ownership.

At some point, reports claimed that the hotel's management had hived off the land from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

KCAA sought to demolish the hotel but its management maintained that the parcel of land had been obtained legally.