A growing debate has emerged in Kenya’s political landscape over President William Ruto’s escalating domestic travel expenses, with MPs clashing over the justification and implications of the rising costs.
Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany came to the defense of the President on Tuesday, arguing that the increased travel expenditure is essential for effective grassroots engagement. Speaking during an appearance on Citizen TV, Kitany said the budget hike allows President Ruto to better connect with citizens across the country.
“When we increase his budget, he is able to travel and listen to people on the ground,” Kitany said. “There is a lot of planning involved when a president travels. It’s not just about movement—it’s about committing to the people.”
The President’s local travel expenditure rose sharply to Ksh.1.7 billion in the first nine months of the 2024/2025 fiscal year, a steep jump from Ksh.750 million during the same period last year. Kitany urged critics to look beyond the numbers, emphasizing the symbolic and logistical demands of presidential mobility.
“He can’t travel lean—he is the symbol of national unity. We must give the presidency the protection and support it requires,” she stated, adding that the focus should be on the outcomes of his engagements rather than the cost.
However, not all lawmakers share her view. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba strongly criticized what she called wasteful spending, accusing President Ruto of misusing public funds under the guise of outreach.
Wamuchomba cited a visit to her constituency where, she claims, the President arrived with a fleet of nine helicopters—a move she labeled unnecessary and extravagant.
“Is that what you call listening? Githunguri is a 12-minute drive from the CBD when there’s no traffic,” she remarked. “He came not to listen, but to lecture me for opposing the Finance Bill.”
The controversy comes on the heels of Ruto’s June 26 commitment to austerity following public outcry and mass protests over the Finance Bill. Many now question whether the President is honoring that promise amid ballooning state expenditure.
As the country grapples with economic challenges and growing demands for accountability, the debate over the travel budget underscores the broader tension between political optics and fiscal responsibility.
