In an effort to reduce government expenditure, Kenya’s Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has announced a ban on non-essential trips abroad for public officials. This prohibition includes travel for purposes such as benchmarking, study, training, research, and non-essential conferences.
Officials have been directed to participate in such events virtually or delegate diplomatic representatives in host countries to attend on their behalf. The move comes after reports that officials spent 14 billion Kenyan shillings ($94 million; £78 million) on travel in the first nine months of President William Ruto’s term.
Felix Koskei specified that foreign travel will only be permitted for engagements that are integral to fulfilling state obligations or critical decisions affecting the country’s position. He also imposed restrictions on the size of delegations, limiting ministers and governors to three individuals per trip and allowing a maximum of seven days per trip and 45 days per year.
Moreover, delegations for the president, vice-president, and first lady will consist solely of staff directly involved in scheduled activities. This travel ban represents a significant step toward financial responsibility within Kenya’s government.
