Kikuyu Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ichung’wah on Tuesday, February 7, defended the government's decision to hold seminars and retreats in Mombasa despite the cost implications incurred in travelling and accommodation.
Speaking while appearing on Citizen TV, Ichung'wah claimed that the cost of holding the seminars and retreat sessions is relatively cheaper in Mombasa as compared to Nairobi.
The Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly noted that the cost that would have been otherwise incurred in the separate travel arrangements of individual MPs would be higher than the cost of procuring flight tickets for the entire group.
Further, he noted that travelling as a group provides an opportunity to negotiate for cheaper flight tickets offered by some of the local airlines.
“Do you know there are times that it is cheaper to do it in Mombasa than Naivasha or cheaper in Mombasa than in Nairobi? I can tell you that from experience. I have been a member of a committee," an assertive Ichung'wah stated, citing his experience as the Chairperson of the Budget Committee.
“If you are to move a committee of 15 MPs to Mombasa you pay flight tickets with probably negotiated price of return tickets of about Ksh10,000 and 12,000 plus accommodation and meals," he added.
His statements came amid concerns over the practicality of Kenya Kwanza’s commitment to cut expenses in the budget.
In his explanation, the Kikuyu legislator affirmed that the government was still on course in its commitment to shred off expenses from its budget as one of the austerity measures.
He explained the recent seminar where MPs and senators converged in Mombasa for a couple of days during the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Mombasa post-election seminar.
According to him, the government resolved to run the seminar concurrently with the induction of members into the respective house committees, which would have been otherwise held at different times. This move, he noted, helped to save on the travel expenses in more than one travel arrangement.
The government had earlier affirmed its intention to shred off Ksh300 billion from the previous budget as the President William Ruto-led administration looks to turn around Kenya's economy.
In January, President Ruto reprimanded two government officials who had reportedly tagged their assistants in a government retreat held in Nanyuki.
The tough-talking President left tongues wagging after his stern directive ordering the above-mentioned to cater for the aides' expenses and accommodation
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