Ruto limits travel for govt officials abroad to 45 days a year in new travel guidelines
President Ruto has issued new travel guidelines for government officials.
In a statement issued by Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, travel abroad for all government officials has been restricted to a maximum of 45 days per year.
In addition to that, no official is to be out of the country for more than seven days in a row.
According to Koskei, the new travel guidelines have come about due to “a less than optimal compliance standard” by government officials.
“Unfortunately, this office has observed a less than optimal compliance standard, which has resulted in breach of some of the prescribed measures, numerous late requests, and consequently, difficulties in obtaining the prudence and cost effectiveness, objective originally anticipated,” it read.
In light of that, the government has reviewed the travel application processes in a bid to enhance compliance.
In addition to the restrictions on days spent out of the country, non-essential travel remains suspended and all travel requests copied to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs for advisory.
Travel requests for all Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of State Corporation shall continue to be obtained from the President’s office.
PSs and Chief Executive Officers of State Corporations will continue processing travel clearances for all other public officers undertaking routine travel in the MDA, who do not form part of a delegation involving/including a principal addressed herein.
On matters of approval, it will not be granted for foreign travel for internationally hosted trainings, meetings, conferences, and events organised by local and regional based public/private institutions.
As for benchmarking visits, a gazetted reform initiative targeting policy, legal and operational outcome should be associated.
Frequency of attendance for International Conferences and Workshops are to be moderated with government officials being urged to opt for virtual participation instead.
Returning officers will also be required to make individual back to office reports on the benefits accrued, and a work plan containing the programmes/projects/initiatives to be implemented arising from the foreign trip outcomes within seven days of return.