Nyeri County is on the spot over costly retreat by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, his nine county executives and 44 MCAs who are currently in Coast to deliberate on implementation of the budget.
The retreat is expected to cost the taxpayers at least Sh7 million.
The delegation will also discuss the status of development projects on.
The trip comes on the backdrop of calls for adherence to the austerity measures that President Uhuru Kenyatta announced last year, including proposed cuts on travel.
Counties have in recent past complained of being underfunded but ironically continue to splash billions in heavy perks and trips, both locally and abroad.
Each MCA is entitled to Sh14,000 daily in per diem and allowances for the seven days of the summit, translating to Sh4.3 million.
They will also receive refunds for what they spent to travel to Nairobi and back.
The county speaker and county executives are each entitled to between Sh16,000-Sh20,000 in per diem, which translates to an average of Sh120,000 for each, amounting to Sh1.2 million.
Still, other county employees – including the governor’s press team, the security detail and assembly staff – will receive allowances for attending the retreat.
A return ticket to Mombasa costs about Sh8,200, bringing the cost of flying the leaders to Mombasa to about Sh500,000.
The estimated total cost of Sh7 million does not include that of hiring the conference hall, stationery, tea breaks and other meals.
Devolved units often travel to other counties for their meetings, reportedly for the sake of maximum attendance and concentration.
As such, they have been accused of wasting public resources by ignoring cheaper options.
Some residents of the county have expressed concerns on wastage of taxpayers’ resources. John Kanyingi wondered why the county did not make use of Nyeri’s hotels, he wrote on Mr Kahiga’s official Facebook page.
“Just wondering why the meetings could not be done at Aberdare Country Club. At least it helps the Nyeri economy. No flight tickets needed and it is quiet,” he said.
