Rigathi Gachagua Claims Some CSs, PSs Change Clothes At Airport To Catch Flights For Foreign Travel

• Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has weighed in on the move to limit travel by Cabinet and principal secretaries
• Gachagua said it was shameful for the government to take such measures when they could have regulated their travel
• He complained that sometimes they failed to hold Cabinet meetings because the secretaries were away on international trips

Nairobi - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has disclosed that some Cabinet and principal secretaries have been changing clothes at the airport.

Gachagua claimed that the leaders have been jumping from one plane to another, trying to honour invites from other nations.

"Some change clothes at the airport from one country to the other. That is the truth. Why can't you regulate yourself?" Gachagua said.

The second in command said President William Ruto decided to limit the travel because some CSs and PSs were out of the country most of the time.

"Last week, we decided to limit foreign trips. All Ministers and PSs were out of the country most of the time, and the president had to reduce the number of days to a certain number in a year, which is very unfortunate," he said.

Rigathi Gachagua: It is too unfortunate

However, Gachagua said that should not have been the case if the ministry custodians had practised self restrain.

"That should not have been the case, people should have regulated themselves to travel when it was necessary, but because of the opulence, all PSs and ministers were out of the country most of the time. The president had to put a stop and say you can only do so much," he said.

The principal assistant to the president also complained that they could not hold Cabinet meetings because around eight of them are always out of the country.

"Sometimes I wonder why you have to honour every invitation that you have been given to every country. Your Excellency, we sometimes can't hold cabinet committees because around eight ministers are out of the country," Gachagua lamented.

He advised the CSs and PSs to ensure they travel to the most important meetings outside the country.

William Ruto caps travel days for CSs, PSs to 45 days per annum

The head of state recently limited Cabinet and principal secretaries from travelling abroad for more than 45 days a year.

In a bid to minimise the cost of foreign trips by public servants, Ruto issued new guidelines on Monday.

In a letter seen by TUKO.co.ke, the directive, issued by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, also suspended non-essential travel.