Ruto's travel budget increased to allow him reach more Kenyans - MP Marianne Kitany - Citizen Digital

Aldai Member of Parliament (MP) Marianne Kitany

Aldai Member of Parliament (MP) Marianne Kitany staged a scattered defense on President William Ruto's local travel budget that has been on a spike.

MP Kitany argued on Tuesday that the bloating expenditure on President Ruto's travel allows him to "listen to Kenyans".

She defended the travel budget increase to President Ruto's office, stating that it will help him easily facilitate his grassroots travels.

"When we increase his budget, he is able to travel and listen to people on ground, then we start complaining that we are using so much money. When a president travels there is alot of planning so that they can be able to commit to the people," she said on Citizen TV.

President Ruto's travel expenditure for the first nine months of the FY 2024/2025 (July 2024 to March 2025) was Ksh.1.7 billion, up from Ksh.750 million in the previous financial year within the same period.

MP Kitany said that the nation needs to appreciate that the President is making effort to connect with the citizens, and he should not be questioned on honoring his austerity promises.

"He can't travel lean, he has tried, but you have to appreciate that he is the symbol of national unity, so you need to give protection that is required of a president," she added.

"For me it's what work has been done, what he has been able to do. In this case he is going to listen to what the people are saying and give them the development agenda."

Her Githunguri counterpart Gathoni Wamuchomba scoffed at Kitany's sentiments, arguing that President Ruto has excessively used public money on travel.

She cited an incident when President Ruto and his entourage allegedly flew with 9 helicopters to her constituency, a distance that can easily be accessed via road.

"She is very aware that the President comes to lecture us. He came to my constituency in 9 helicopters to come and lecture me for saying NO to the Finance Bill," Wamuchomba claimed.

"Is that what you call listening? Githunguri is a 12-minute drive from the CBD when traffic is clear."

On June 26, 2024, after President Ruto rejected the Finance Bill, he vowed to uphold austerity measures, a promise he has failed to honor.