I Saved and Paid for My Russia World Cup Trip, Senator Millicent Omanga Says

Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga has disputed claims that she traveled to Russia to watch World Cup matches on taxpayers' tab.

Reports that 20 Kenyan MPs went to Russia to watch the tournament using public cash sparked outrage from social media users on Thursday.

Omanga, who shared several photos of herself having fun at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, said she sponsored herself for the trip and has attended every edition of the global competition since 2002 when she was only 20 years old.

“I am in Russia through personal sponsorship. I love football and have been going for World Cup since 2002 — when I was 20 years — when it was in Japan,” said Omanga.

“I am actually very surprised about all this debate. I save for it. In the next four years we have the World Cup in Qatar and I will start saving for it,” added Omanga.

In one of her photos widely circulated on the social media, Ms. Omanga is seen at the audience stands and poses with Croatia fans in another image.

“With Croatia fans before the Match Live from Luzhniki Stadium Moscow. Wishing them all the best,”she captioned the image on her Facebook page.

Speaking to Citizen TV, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi defended the controversial trip to Moscow by 14 National Assembly members and 6 Senators.

He said the government-funded trip was a bench-marking exercise by Parliament's Sports and Culture Committee as well as Bunge Football Club members.

“Yes, some members have gone to Russia to watch the World Cup as members of the sports and culture committee, as well as Bunge FC. It’s not a bad thing. But they must prepare a report when they come back and table it in parliament. That’s the standard procedure,” said Muturi.