Embu MCAs set to use Ksh4 million to tour Mauritius

Embu MCAs set to use Ksh4 million to tour Mauritius

Embu residents have objected a Mauritius trip, planned by seven Members of the County Assembly’s Education Committee, aimed at gathering knowledge about early childhood education management.

The locals have asked Governor Martin Wambora to explain how the trip, which will see seven MCAs visit the island nation, will benefit the residents of Embu County.

Gaturi South representative, John Mwangi, has come out to criticize the his colleagues’ decision to go forward with the trip even amidst public outcry.

Mwangi said the county is struggling financially, and it cannot afford to sponsor the MCAs to study about education system in Mauritius while residents are languishing in poverty.

Speaking last Thursday at the Assembly, the legislator said the expedition is the height of financial irresponsibility and insensitivity to the plight of residents.

The seven MCAs are expected to spend more than Ksh500, 000 on per diem and Ksh1 million on plane tickets.

Mwangi also called for an end to trips, both local and international, saying that they amounted to gross wastage of taxpayers’ money.

He said the Assembly’s Ksh58 million local travel kitty was depleted in a record three months due to numerous retreats to Nairobi and Mombasa.He revealed that MCAs have, in this year alone, gone on trips to Mombasa that summed up to Ksh4 million.

Mwangi said he will not attend a retreat being organized for the MCAs to Mauritius.

He added that it is irresponsible for MCAs to go on foreign trips when contractors and suppliers are demonstrating over non-payment of their dues.

The MCA said the state of roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and piped water supply is proof that the county requires funds be spent on development projects instead of leisure tours abroad.

He urged Assembly Speaker Justus Mate to control wasteful committees.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last month proposed measures that includes drastic cuts on allocations to foreign travel and allowances to officers travelling.

Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) chairman Micah Cheserem said the Senate should immediately liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to control overseas trips by MCAs, but since then the initiative has not been taken into consideration.

Cheserem suggested the other alternative would be to limit the amount of resources available for foreign travel.

Tags:

Embu County. Nandi County Embu Governor Martin Wambora Members of County Assemblies

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