Foreign travel ban set to save State Sh200m

The government could save Sh200 million during a 30-day foreign travel ban imposed on Cabinet ministers.

More than 30 ministers were scheduled to travel abroad in March and April before President Kibaki slapped the ban to ensure they were present in the country to debate the proposed constitution.

All MPs, including ministers, will be in Naivasha today to discuss the proposed law before debate starts in Parliament next week.

The savings estimate is based on the figure of Sh6.7 million a day that ministers and their entourages spend on foreign trips.

This estimate was given in 2007 by then Finance minister Amos Kimunya.

Investigations by Nation showed that Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet ministers Najib Balala, Moses Wetang’ula, Anyang’ Nyong’o, Amos Kimunya, Dalmas Otieno, Henry Kosgey, Sam Ongeri, Sally Kosgei, Samuel Poghisio, Soita Shitanda, James Orengo and Charity Ngilu were to travel either this month or April.

Other ministers who had been expected out of the country on various dates from Monday to the end of April are Naomi Shaban, Wycliffe Oparanya, William ole Ntimama, Jefferson Kingi, Noah Wekesa, Mutula Kilonzo, Hellen Sambili, Esther Murugi, Robinson Githae, Mohammed Elmi and John Michuki.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s foreign trips schedule could not be obtained.

President Kibaki banned all foreign trips until debate on the proposed constitution was concluded.

The decision to ban foreign travel was communicated to ministers in a letter from Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura.

“During this time when Parliament is considering the draft constitution, ministers and assistant ministers will not be allowed to travel outside the country so that they are available for parliamentary debate on the constitution,” Mr Muthaura said in the letter.

Parliament has 30 days during which MPs should have debated and voted on the draft. According to the timetable, the House has until April 2 to conclude the debate.