Kenyan counties splurge billions on travel as development projects stall

Kenyan county governments are facing scrutiny over lavish spending on travel and international conferences, with billions of shillings diverted from crucial development projects. A new report by the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, reveals that counties collectively spent Sh13.17 billion on domestic and foreign travel during the first nine months of the 2025/26 financial year.

This substantial expenditure comes at a time when many development projects lie abandoned and healthcare facilities are pleading for funds. The report highlights that the money spent on travel could have been used to equip hundreds of health facilities or complete thousands of stalled classroom projects across the country.

The revelations are particularly significant as they emerge just 14 months before Kenyans head to the polls to judge the performance of their devolved leaders. The Controller of Budget's findings underscore a potential disconnect between the priorities of county administrations and the pressing needs of their constituents, raising questions about resource allocation and accountability.

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This damning new report has exposed how county governments are funnelling billions of shillings into luxury travel and conferences while development projects lie abandoned and cash-strapped, hospitals plead for funds, a scandal that comes just 14 months before Kenyans head to the polls to judge their devolved leaders.