Days after details emerged that 100 Members of Parliament were seeking to travel to Addis Ababa to support Kenya’s African Union Commission Chairperson candidate Raila Odinga, the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has responded.
Speaking during Parliament proceedings, Wetangula confirmed that he had received over 40 notifications from MPs planning to make the journey.
But according to Wetangula, despite the requests, the State will only cover the travel expenses of four legislators.
Government will only Sponsor 4 MPs to Addis Ababa Ahead of AUC Election. Photo: Courtesy.
“As the National Assembly, and following a request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we have a delegation of four members travelling to Addis Ababa in solidarity with the Kenya candidate. The members are led by the chairperson of the departmental committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relation, Honourable Nelson Koech,” Wetangula read.
The four include; Nelson Koech (Belgut MP), Lydia Haika (Taita Taveta Women Rep), Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North MP) as well as Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo.
Wetangula’s confirmation comes following criticism of excessive government spending, particularly in relation to foreign travel.
On Wednesday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi slammed negative questions around the size of the Kenyan government delegation in Addis Ababa, given Kenya’s interest in capturing the AUC Chairmanship.
The former prime minister is facing off against Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato and Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf .
