The National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee has raised concerns over Ksh 5.3 billion spent by the State Department for Foreign Affairs on State Visits during the 2025/2026 financial year.
The concerns emerged during a session held at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday as the Committee reviewed the Ministry’s budget estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Led by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, Members questioned the growing expenditure on inbound and outbound State Visits, with some legislators arguing that part of the costs should instead fall under the State House budget.
Lagdera MP Abdikadir Mohamed challenged the spending structure, saying the Foreign Affairs department appeared to be carrying responsibilities that traditionally belong to State House.
Foreign Affairs Defends State Visit Spending
Foreign Affairs officials, led by Ambassador Josphat Maikara on behalf of PS Korir Sing’oei, defended the expenditure. They explained that the department only facilitates logistical arrangements once directives are issued by State House.
Senior Chief Finance Officer Mr. Aloyo told the Committee that the department handles accommodation, transport and meals for State delegations, while State House caters for advocacy and related engagements.
“We are not able to control the number of visits and their size. Once the allocated funds are exhausted, we are forced to borrow from other programmes, creating outstanding bills,” he said.
The Committee heard that the department had already spent Ksh 2.2 billion against an allocation of Ksh 1.8 billion in the current financial year. Officials further revealed that the department had been instructed to facilitate 11 more outbound State Visits before June 2026 at an estimated cost of Ksh 3.1 billion.
Lawmakers Question New Foreign Missions
The MPs also questioned development expenditure in the proposed 2026/2027 budget, particularly Ksh 60.82 million allocated for establishing a Kenyan mission in Hanoi, Vietnam, despite no ambassadorial appointment having been made.
Koech sought clarification on the purpose of the allocation, prompting Ambassador Maikara to explain that Cabinet had already approved the establishment of missions in Hanoi and Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Committee additionally directed the State Department to submit a detailed breakdown of allocations to all foreign missions for further scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs requested an additional Ksh 639.4 million to support diaspora security programmes and anti-human trafficking interventions.
Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie expressed concern over rising cases of human trafficking and fraudulent overseas job recruitment schemes targeting Kenyans.
In response, Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi said the department was working with agencies including the NIS, DCI, NEA and the State Department of Labour to combat trafficking. She added that additional funding would support safe houses, emergency evacuations and awareness campaigns.
Despite the requests, the department received only Ksh 80.6 million out of the Ksh 720 million sought for the interventions.
