Spending by Kenyan lawmakers on foreign travel has increased significantly, rising to Sh3.5 billion in the year ended June 2026. This represents an increase of over Sh800 million from the previous financial year's total of Sh2.6 billion. The rise in spending comes as the government faces mounting pressure to reduce public expenditure and improve fiscal discipline.
According to Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o, the National Assembly posted the highest expenditure on foreign travel at Sh2.53 billion. This is up from Sh1.99 billion in the previous financial year. The Senate also saw a significant increase in spending, with international travel costs rising to Sh924.35 million from Sh633.6 million previously.
The Senate and National Assembly were not the only government entities with substantial foreign travel expenditures. Other notable spenders included the Parliamentary Joint Services at Sh384.46 million, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs at Sh271.87 million, and the State Department for Vocational and Technical Training at over Sh350 million.
In addition to foreign travel, lawmakers also recorded significant expenditure on domestic travel during the financial year. Domestic travel accounted for a substantially larger Sh21.98 billion across ministries, departments, and agencies. This is more than twice the amount spent on foreign travel, which totaled Sh8.7 billion.
The National Assembly recorded the highest domestic travel expenditure at Sh4.37 billion. State House followed with Sh2.4 billion, while the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration spent Sh1.43 billion. Other significant spenders included the Judiciary, the Senate, and various state departments.
The Controller of Budget attributed the National Assembly's high domestic travel expenditure to the nature of MPs' work. According to Dr. Nyakang'o, the work of Members of Parliament necessitates significant travel within the country. The lawmakers' travel costs come amid pressure on the government to contain public spending and improve fiscal discipline.
The government has taken steps to reduce unnecessary expenditures, including foreign travel. Recent directives by the National Treasury require ministries and agencies to cut back on trips abroad by officials and hospitality spending. The Treasury issued austerity guidelines on June 29, 2023, to streamline foreign travel and reduce the fiscal deficit.
Key points
- The National Assembly recorded the highest expenditure on foreign travel at Sh2.53 billion.
- Domestic travel accounted for a substantially larger Sh21.98 billion across ministries, departments, and agencies.
- The government has issued austerity guidelines to reduce unnecessary expenditures, including foreign travel.
