President William Ruto’s ballooning local travel budget has stirred fresh debate in Parliament, with Aldai MP Marianne Kitany offering a spirited defence of the Ksh1.7 billion spent in just nine months.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Kitany said the rise in expenditure up from Ksh750 million over the same period last year is justified, arguing that the President needs to be on the ground “to listen to Kenyans.”
“When we increase his budget, he is able to travel and listen to people on the ground,” she said. “Then we start complaining that we are using too much money. When a President travels, there’s a lot of planning involved.”
The comments came amid growing scrutiny over government spending, especially after President Ruto publicly pledged austerity following the June 2024 withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill.
Kitany, however, said Ruto should not be faulted for honouring his constitutional role, noting that his presence in the grassroots fosters national unity and development dialogue.
“He can’t travel lean he has tried,” she added. “But you have to appreciate that he is the symbol of national unity, so you need to give protection that is required of a President.”
‘Listening or Lecturing?’
But not all MPs are convinced. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba challenged Kitany’s remarks, accusing the President of misusing public funds under the guise of connecting with Kenyans.
“He came to my constituency in nine helicopters to come and lecture me for saying NO to the Finance Bill,” Wamuchomba said. “Is that what you call listening?”
She added that Githunguri is just 12 minutes from Nairobi’s CBD when traffic is clear, questioning the need for such heavy air travel for short distances.
Ruto’s government has been under pressure in recent months, particularly from a rising tide of youth-led protests demanding transparency and fiscal restraint. His June vow to cut back on government luxuries including travel has been repeatedly cited as a broken promise by critics.
What the Numbers Say
According to official data, the President’s travel expenses for July 2024 to March 2025 totalled Ksh1.7 billion, more than double the previous year’s figure. The spending surge coincides with a sharp increase in presidential visits across the country many aimed at calming public frustration and defending government policy.
Kitany insists these visits are productive and necessary.
“For me, it’s about what work has been done,” she said. “He is going to listen to what the people are saying and give them the development agenda.”
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