More protests over MCAs foreign trips

Unregulated foreign trips by county leaders have continued to be a headache for the national government, two months after the Foreign Ministry warned the visits were embarrassing Kenya.

On Sunday, Elgeyo-Markwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen added to the matter by insisting one more country has protested to the Kenyan government for receiving “too many” Kenyan delegations at a short time.

“Other nations are now asking: how many countries are in Kenya because of the numerous delegates they have hosted within a short space of time,” he said while giving a keynote address to Fellowship of Christian Unions – Focus Kenya at Jumuia Resort in Kikambala in Kilifi County on Saturday night.

He dismissed the trips as “touristic in nature” saying they were uncoordinated, ill-prepared, lack etiquette and only meant to boost individual egos.

“These trips often cause embarrassment to Kenya’s image abroad and risks damaging the image of the country as an investment destination,” he alleged adding that some of those who go for such visits “cannot read and write.”

In an earlier interview, Foreign Affairs PS Karanja Kibicho said three countries had complained of receiving too many guests from Kenya, often travelling separately but intending to visit the same people abroad.

“We have already received concerns from South Africa, Rwanda and Uganda over the trips which are disrupting their programmes and we are engaging the county governments on the same,” said Dr Kibicho.

Normally, the Ministry has a liaison office meant to handle devolution units and their travels abroad, but Dr Kibicho complained the governors had been doing things on their own.

Governors hold diplomatic passports and visits abroad mean they get similar treatment as government representatives.