Kenyan-born Australian Senator forced to repay public funds used at birthday

Kenyan-born Australian Senator Lucy Gichuhi has come under fire on social media for allegedly using taxpayers’ money on unofficial business.

The 56-year-old leader has been accused of using $2139 (Ksh.216, 327) to fly two relatives from Darwin to Adelaide, Australia, for her birthday party dubbed ‘50^th plus GST.’

The fund used by Mrs. Gichuhi is reportedly supposed to be used by Australian Members of Parliament when travelling for official duties and to pay for family members to join them on parliamentary or electorate business.

Taking to Twitter, the senator accepted to pay back the funds saying, “Regarding the media reports about my travel expenses, this was an administrative error involving misunderstanding of travel rules.”

“I’ve raised an invoice from the department to pay the costs of $2139 in full.”

Regarding the media reports about my travel expenses, this was an administrative error involving misunderstanding of travel rules.

I’ve raised an invoice from the department to pay the costs of $2139 in full.

— Lucy Gichuhi (@senatorlucy) June 17, 2018

Also Read: Tracing the roots of Kenyan-born woman who beat odds to become Australian senator

Lucy Gichuhi is the first Australian senator of African descent.

The lawmaker won the Family First Party seat in the Australian parliament following a special vote recount of April 2016 poll ordered by the High Court, becoming the first African-Australian senator.

Her predecessor – Bob Day – was found ineligible to vie in the 2016 elections, which he won, and consequently, his victory was nullified.

Ms Gichuhi was the Family First second candidate and was therefore declared the bonafide winner of the seat.