Kenyan county governors are facing criticism for spending over KSh 6.6 billion (about $45 million) on trips abroad for government officials in just six months. This information comes from a recent report shared by local media.
The money used for these trips came from county budgets, and officials travelled to places like Dubai, Europe, and Singapore, often calling these trips “benchmarking” to learn from others.
The counties that spent the most money include Nairobi, which spent KSh 369 million, and Machakos, which spent KSh 372.9 million, according to local newspapers such as the Nation.
Other counties that spent a lot include Kitui (KSh 315.3 million), Nyandarua (KSh 223.1 million), and Kajiado, but specific numbers for Kajiado were not mentioned.
Out of the total spending, KSh 643 million was for international trips only. Many people are upset about this, especially since healthcare workers have not received their salaries on time.
The public reaction has been strong, with many saying this spending is wasteful. Some people even jokingly asked why these trips are necessary when local solutions would work.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has received a lot of criticism because his administration spent KSh 369 million on travel and nothing on development projects during the same time.
County officials say these trips are important for learning how to do things better, but this reason has not helped calm the public anger, especially as there are claims that financial problems are affecting basic services.
This news, first reported in the newspapers on March 07, 2025, has brought back discussions about how money is spent in Kenya’s local government system.
