The Controller of budget Agnes Odhiambo has condemned county government and assembly officials for misappropriating public funds through regular foreign trips that have no benefit to the people they represent.
Speaking at an Eldoret hotel on Thursday during the public forum for chairpersons of independent commissions, Odhiambo said that it is sad for county officials to approve huge amounts of money to go for foreign trips at the expense of the tax payers’ money, yet they won’t bring any benefit to the people they represent.
“How can a county assembly approve a budget to send almost all members to foreign countries in the name of going to learn how to improve the livelihoods of their electorate and in real sense they go for their own entertainments and having a good time, that is total absurd,” she said.
She reiterated that she is not against county officials going for foreign trips, but they should use small amounts of money and also send a few of the certain committee members to represent the whole house.
“I urge all Kenyans from all divides to play an oversight role and ensure that their funds are used well, and in case of misappropriation should keep them on toes to account for every cent, and if they fail, they should be recalled and elections done since they were not elected to embezzle public funds,” she added.