The government of Kenya has suspended all unnecessary foreign trips by state officers as it takes steps to curtail unnecessary expenditure and prioritize essential services to citizens.

Felix Koskei, the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, has stressed on the need for fiscal responsibility and a focused approach to government operations to curb wastages.

The move, Koskei says, is aimed at streamlining government activities and ensuring efficient service delivery, and entails several key restrictions on foreign travel for public officials.

In the new guidelines, delegations involving both Cabinet and Principal Secretaries will be limited to a maximum of three persons to foster prudent spending and focused governance.

“Delegations involving both Cabinet and Principal Secretaries above shall be restricted to the three (3) person limit. It is reiterated that Cabinet and Principal Secretaries in the same ministries shall not be away on foreign travel at the same time unless the foreign engagement expressly demands the same," Koskei stated.

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Additionally, CSs and PSs from the same ministries will not be permitted to be away on foreign travel simultaneously, except when the nature of the foreign engagement explicitly demands such an arrangement.

Koskei further stressed the importance of technical expertise in foreign missions, stating that when a Cabinet Secretary or Principal Secretary is to be accompanied, at least one delegate must be a technical officer specialized in the subject matter of the foreign engagement.

Security or personal assistants and logistics officers will not be allowed to accompany these delegations, except as exempted.

“Where the Cabinet Secretary is to be accompanied, at least one (1) of the delegates shall be a technical officer specialised in the subject matter of the foreign engagement, with no security or personal assistants/logistics officers other than as exempted," Koskei stated.

“Where the Principal Secretary is to be accompanied, the designate delegate shall be a technical officer specialised in the subject matter of engagement, with no security or personal assistants/logistics officers other than as exempted."

In a circular issued on October 3, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei outlined the suspension of the following categories of travel:

i. Benchmarking and Study Visits.

ii. Training and related Capacity Building Initiatives.

iii. Research, Academic Meetings, and Symposia.

iv. Conferences and Meetings of general participation.

v. Side Events; Showcase Events and Exhibitions.

vi. Caucus and Association Meetings and Events.

The government has also suspended sponsored events, which often require additional expenses in terms of per diem and ticket upgrades.

Exceptions may be made when the invitee expressly waives the anticipated top-up amount.

Public entities scheduled to travel and attend events falling within the suspended categories are encouraged to explore virtual participation options where available.

Alternatively, they may engage the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to secure the onsite participation of diplomatic officials in the host country.

Furthermore, the government has imposed restrictions on delegations accompanying high-ranking officials, including the President, Deputy President, First Lady, and Prime Cabinet Secretaries during foreign trips.

These measures mark a significant step towards ensuring responsible financial management and channelling resources toward critical government operations, ultimately benefiting the citizens of Kenya.