The Kenyan government is facing fresh scrutiny after a new report revealed that public officers spent more than Ksh8 billion on travel and hospitality within just three months, raising questions about the government’s commitment to reducing public expenditure.
The figures are contained in the National Government Budget Implementation Review report covering the first half of the 2025/2026 financial year released by the Office of the Controller of Budget.
According to the report, government agencies spent a total of Ksh14.83 billion on domestic and foreign travel, hospitality and related expenses between July and December 2025.
Margaret Nyakang’o, the Controller of Budget, said the data shows a significant increase in spending within a short period.
The report indicates that during the first three months of the financial year, government institutions spent Ksh7.15 billion on travel-related costs. However, the following three months between September and December recorded an additional Ksh7.6 billion, nearly doubling the earlier expenditure.
The surge has drawn attention because the government has repeatedly assured Kenyans that it would tighten spending due to rising public debt and increasing pressure on national finances.
The revelations also come at a time when many parts of the country are struggling with the effects of floods, drought and the rising cost of living.
Observers say the Ksh8 billion spent in such a short time could have supported urgent national needs such as repairing flood-damaged infrastructure, assisting affected communities or strengthening climate resilience programmes.
Instead, the funds were largely used on travel allowances, air tickets, accommodation, meals and official entertainment.
The report further shows that county governments have also spent heavily on foreign travel.
Between July 1 and December 31, 2024, counties collectively spent Ksh6.6 billion on international trips for officials attending conferences, meetings and other engagements abroad.
Several counties accounted for the largest delegations, including Nairobi, Machakos County, Kitui County, Nyandarua County, Kajiado County, Kakamega County, Meru County, Kisumu, Busia County and Baringo County.
Together, these counties spent approximately Ksh2.4 billion, accounting for nearly a third of the total foreign travel expenditure.
The report also shows that destinations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Dubai and Tanzania were among the most frequently visited by county delegations.
The findings have renewed calls for stricter oversight and accountability in the management of public funds as the government continues to urge institutions to observe fiscal discipline.
