Wetangula: Kenyan Government To Fund Only Four MPs For Raila’s African Union Commission Bid In Addis

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, has disclosed that out of more than 40 MPs who sought government funding to travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in support of Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship, only four will have their expenses covered by the state.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Wetangula revealed that Nelson Koech (Belgut MP and Chair of the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee), Lydia Haika (Taita Taveta Woman Representative and Chair of the Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee), Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North MP and Vice Chair of the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee), and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo (who also serves as Minority Whip) will be the only legislators sponsored by the government.

His announcement comes amid rising concerns over excessive government spending on foreign trips.

Wetangula clarified that while several other MPs plan to attend the event, they will do so at their own expense.

“I am aware that some members will travel on their own as leaders and citizens of this country to show their support for Raila Odinga’s candidature,” he said.

He emphasized that it is not unusual for individuals, including MPs, to personally finance their participation in high-profile international gatherings.

Addressing criticisms directed at Parliament, he stated, “We have seen the usual complaints that Parliament is sending 100 members to Addis.

The reality is, anyone who can afford it is free to go, but Parliament does not have the budget to fund such a large delegation.”

Earlier, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended the size of Kenya’s delegation in Addis Ababa, arguing that the government was mindful of economic constraints.

Speaking from Ethiopia, Mudavadi insisted that Kenya’s representation was not excessive.

While he did not specify the exact number of officials present, he explained that the delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President.

“President Ruto is here, and I am the Foreign Affairs Minister. We also have ministry officials supporting this process, as well as our diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa,” he said.

Mudavadi also noted that many Kenyans attending the event were doing so independently, without government funding.

“The individuals being highlighted are traveling of their own accord. Their expenses are not covered by the Kenyan government,” he added.

Raila Odinga is competing against Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato and Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf for the top AU position.

The winner will need to secure a two-thirds majority vote from African Heads of State to succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki, who is completing his second term in office.