In a recent development, the Kenyan government has taken a significant step to curb public spending by suspending all non-essential travel for government officials.
The decision, outlined in a circular issued by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Monday, is aimed at reining in expenses and ensuring that taxpayer funds are allocated more efficiently.
The circular also included restrictions on delegations accompanying high-ranking officials such as the President, Deputy President, First Lady, and Prime Cabinet Secretaries during foreign trips. Key points from the notice include:
- Suspended Travel Categories: Non-essential travel categories that are now suspended include benchmarking, study visits, trainings, capacity-building initiatives, research, academic meetings, symposia, conferences, general participation meetings, showcase events, exhibitions, caucus meetings, and association meetings and events.
- Criteria for Foreign Travel: Foreign travel will only be facilitated for engagements that fulfill state obligations, critical state party engagements, and statutory leadership or membership roles that involve making critical decisions affecting the country’s position.
- Delegation Size Limits: Delegations headed by Cabinet Secretaries are limited to three persons, including the Cabinet Secretary as the Head of Delegation. Principal Secretaries can lead delegations of up to two persons. Technical officers specialized in the subject matter of the foreign engagement are encouraged, and security or personal assistants/logistics officers are restricted, except for specific exemptions.
- Cabinet and Principal Secretaries in the Same Ministries: They are not allowed to be away on foreign travel simultaneously, except when the engagement explicitly demands it.
- County Governors: Delegations led by County Governors are also limited to three persons, including the Governor as the Head of Delegation.
- Approval for Accompanying Delegations: Delegations accompanying high-profile officials must be approved for individuals directly involved in the scheduled activities/programmes of the principals.
- Personnel Reduction: The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has been directed to reduce the number of personnel accompanying high-ranking officials by fifty percent (50%).
- Maximum Travel Duration: The notice has capped the maximum number of days for official travel to seven days, including travel days.
This measure is a response to the government’s commitment to scaling down and prioritizing spending on critical operations and activities that are essential for citizen service delivery.
It marks a significant move towards fiscal responsibility and efficient allocation of resources.
