Garissa elders slam MPs for misusing public funds

Kenya Livestock Council chairman Dubat Amey (Center) and fellow Elders, they  have raised concern over what they term as extravagant use of taxpayers money by Members of Parliament during foreign trips. fellow Garissa elders.  (Courtesy)

GARISSA—Garissa elders have raised concern over what they term as extravagant use of taxpayers money by Members of Parliament during foreign trips.

This after 20 MPs and senators traveled to watch the World Cup final in Russia.

Speaking to the press in Garissa town, Kenya Livestock Council chairman Dubat Amey stated that the lawmakers use trips to misuse national resources.

“We are going through harsh economic times. Surely the MPs should have known better and traveled at their own expense not the taxpayer,” said Amey.

On the MPs defense, National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale said the Sports committee will prepare a report  upon its return.

“There is nothing out of order when a parliamentary Sports committee travels to watch a World Cup match. What is important is that they must file a report when they return for the House to discuss,” said Duale

“The report must among other things, say what they have learnt, how that is important to the country and to the sector and the House in its wisdom will look at it and debate it.”  he added.

Jeremiah Nyegenye CEO of the Parliamentary Service Commission, also noted that this was not a holiday trip but the legislators have the responsibility to understand sports and how to host such international tournaments.

Kenyans on Twitter reacted furiously to the news that 14 members of the National Assembly and six Senators had traveled to Moscow at the expense of the taxpayers’ money

They wanted MPs and the National Assembly speaker to  stop justifying the trip as the more they talk about it the angrier Kenyans become.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Achesa said no officials from his ministry traveled to Russia.

“We were invited but opted out. It is too expensive and a waste of money, ” he said, adding that it would have cost the taxpayers about Sh3.8 million if he had traveled.