Controller of Budget Reveals Alarming Travel Expenses in 2023/2024 Financial Year
The Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, has revealed that a staggering Ksh18.8 billion has been spent on travel in the 2023/2024 financial year, a significant increase from the Ksh14.07 billion spent in the previous year. This revelation has sparked widespread concern over the excessive spending on travel by government agencies and officials.
Nyakang’o made the announcement during a recent meeting with the National Assembly Finance Committee, where she presented the Budget Review Implementation Report for the first half of the 2023/2024 financial year. The report highlights the alarming trend of travel expenses, which has seen a significant increase in the current financial year.
The Controller of Budget emphasized that the excessive spending on travel is a major concern, particularly given the limited resources available to the government. “We are concerned about the high travel expenses, which are taking away from other essential services and development projects,” Nyakang’o said.
The report also revealed that several government agencies and officials have been involved in excessive travel, with some spending millions of shillings on foreign and domestic travel. For instance, Nairobi County led the pack with travel expenses totaling Ksh337.20 million, followed by Baringo (Sh184.33 million), Mombasa (Sh124.84 million), and Nakuru (Sh100.60 million).
Nyakang’o urged the government to take immediate action to address the issue of excessive travel expenses. “We need to ensure that our resources are used efficiently and effectively. The excessive spending on travel is a major drain on our resources and is hindering our ability to deliver essential services to the people,” she said.
The Controller of Budget also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in government spending. “We need to ensure that our spending is transparent and accountable. The people have a right to know how their taxes are being used, and we need to ensure that we are using our resources wisely,” Nyakang’o said.
The report has sparked widespread concern over the government’s spending habits, with many calling for greater accountability and transparency in government spending. The Controller of Budget’s revelation has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the government’s budgeting process and the need for greater oversight and control over government spending.
