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List of Ruto's Government Organizations That Absorbed More than KSh 100m for Foreign Travel

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  • President William Ruto's administration spent more money on foreign travel in the 2023/24 financial year compared to 2022/23
  • According to the Comptroller of the Budget (CoB) report, the total expenditure on foreign travel by the national government affected more than KSh 9 billion
  • CoB Margaret Nyakang'o noted that this is despite government efforts to reduce unnecessary travel

Government spending on foreign travel increased in the 2023/24 financial year compared to 2022/24, a report by the Controller of Budget (CoB) shows.

President William Ruto and his entourage were received in Beijing, China. Photo: William Ruto.
Source: Twitter

The National Government Budget Implementation Review Report released in August 2024 showed a 45% increase in foreign travel to KSh 9.19 billion by June 2024.

In the previous year, the administration of the President William Ruto spent only KSh 6.33 billion on foreign trips.

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“Foreign Travel Expenditure registered a 45% increase between FY 2022/23 (KSh 6.33 billion) and FY 2023/24 (KSh 9.19 billion) despite efforts to reduce unnecessary travel in FY 2023/24,” read the report. part.

The government introduced new foreign travel guidelines for ministries, government departments and county governments.

However, CoB Margaret Nyakang'o identified the following issues to comply with the foreign travel circular issued in October 2024:

  • High cost for non-essential travel
  • Inconsistent adherence to allocation boundaries
  • Possible drawbacks and interactions

Which government departments spent the most on foreign travel?

General Economic and Commercial Affairs (GECA)

Government departments, categorized under general economic and commercial issues, spent KSh 301,541,792.

These are:

1. State Department of Commerce 4. State Department of the East African Community
2. State Department of Small, Small and Medium Business Development 5. Department of State for Tourism
3. Department of State for Investment Promotion

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Governance, Justice, Law and Order (GJLO)

According to the report, government departments dealing with administration, justice, law and order spent KSh 213,728,216 during that period.

These are:

6. National Police Service 9. Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission 12. Kenya National Human Rights Commission
7. State Department of Homeland Security and National Administration 10. Office of the Registrar of Political Parties 13. National Commission for Gender and Equality
8. State Law Office 11. Organization for the Protection of Martyrs

Public Administration and International Relations

Government departments dealing with public administration and relationship international, including the President's Central Office, spent KSh 482,521,110 on foreign trips.

They include:

14. Executive Office of the President 17. Department of State for Parliamentary Affairs 20. State Department of Economic Planning 23. National Treasury 26. Public Service Commission
15. Office of the Deputy President 18. Department of State for Cabinet Affairs 21. Government Department of Foreign Affairs 24. Department of State for Public Service 27. Budget Controller
16. Office of the Prime Minister 19. State Department of Devolution 22. State Department of Diaspora Affairs 25. Government Department of Youth Affairs 28. Administrative Justice Commission

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Ruto's order on foreign travel

President William Ruto's administration proposed a 10% budget cut for government ministries and departments.

The Council of Ministers said the move will help reduce the financial deficit, which has led to debt Kenya increase to more than KSh 10 trillion.

The budget cuts were implemented in the first Ruto Supplemental Appropriations of the FY2023/24 Budget cycle.

The Head of Public Service Felix Koskei reduced the number of delegates who joined the president, governors, ministers and other officials in their travels.

Members of the Office of the President, his deputy, the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers and the President's wife will be passed on to officials who have a direct role in the program.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke

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