Uhuru Bans Bench-Marking Tours in New Set of Austerity Measures

President Kenyatta’s administration has banned bench-marking tours by ministries, State departments and counties in a fresh austerity move aimed at cutting government expenditure.

In a circular, interim Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani announced that the government had also capped the number of people in government delegations for foreign trips to a maximum of four.

“All bench-marking and study tours are immediately suspended until further notice,” reads part of the circular sent to all Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.

“Delegations led by Cabinet Secretaries should not exceed four persons while those by Principal Secretaries/Chief Executives shall not exceed three members.”

Miscellaneous expenditure was also not spared as Treasury directed trimming of budgets on the provision of newspapers and airtime to staff.

Yatani ordered ministries and departments to cut by 75 percent the budget on the appropriation of newspapers and 30 percent on airtime expenditure to encourage the use of internet calls. The measures are expected to be replicated by counties.

“The expenditure control measures outlined are aimed at enhancing prudent financial management by ensuring that we live within our means,” said Yatani.