Ann Waiguru Sets the Record Straight on Standard’s Kirinyaga Travel Spending Headline

Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru has criticized The Standard over its June 29 front-page story titled “Spending Spree,” accusing the newspaper of publishing misleading figures on her county’s domestic travel expenditure.

The newspaper, citing the Controller of Budget’s Budget Implementation Review Report for the first nine months of the 2025/26 financial year, listed Kirinyaga among counties that spent heavily on travel.

According to the front-page summary, Kirinyaga spent Ksh 235.37 million on domestic travel and nothing on foreign travel.

The story grouped Kirinyaga alongside counties such as Nairobi, Machakos, Baringo and Homa Bay, arguing that county governments are spending huge amounts on travel, conferences and staff costs instead of prioritizing service delivery.

Standard’s “Spending Spree” Headline

The newspaper reported that a new Controller of Budget report showed county governments were wasting public funds on unnecessary allowances, local travel, conferences and international meetings.

It also stated that many counties had exceeded the legal wage bill limit of 35% of total revenue, with an average wage bill of 44%.

Among the governors featured on the front page were:

• Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja – Ksh 1.18 billion on domestic travel and Ksh 373.61 million on foreign travel
• Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti – Ksh 249.15 million on domestic travel and Ksh 64.89 million on foreign travel
• Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi – Ksh 302.9 million on domestic travel and Ksh 20.64 million on foreign travel
• Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru – Ksh 235.37 million on domestic travel and no expenditure on foreign travel
• Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga – Ksh 219.82 million on domestic travel and no expenditure on foreign travel

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Waiguru Says the Figures Were Misrepresented

Responding on X, Waiguru argued that The Standard wrongly attributed the entire Ksh 235.37 million domestic travel expenditure to the County Executive.

She maintained that the Controller of Budget’s report clearly distinguishes spending by the County Assembly and the County Executive.

“A clarification to @StandardKenya: Your ‘Spending Spree’ headline in today’s newspaper is misleading.

For the record, the Controller of Budget’s May 2026 Report (Page 289) on Kirinyaga was clear that on domestic travel – Ksh. 44.87M was incurred by the County EXECUTIVE & NOT 235.37M as presented in your headline. Please present figures factually!!”

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What the Controller of Budget Report Says

The section of the Controller of Budget report cited by Waiguru states that Kirinyaga’s total domestic travel expenditure was Ksh 235.37 million during the reporting period.

However, the report breaks down the amount as follows:

• Ksh 190.50 million spent by the County Assembly
• Ksh 44.87 million spent by the County Executive

The report also notes that no money was spent on foreign travel during the review period.

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Ann Waiguru Addresses Standard Over Kirinyaga Travel Spending Headline
PHOTO/Waiguru