Fury on the street over free ride to Washington party
Daily Nation - By JAMI MAKAN - January 17 2009
Ordinary Kenyans have criticised the planned government delegation to US President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, saying taxpayers should not pay for politicians to attend an unofficial party.
At a press conference on Monday, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula announced that he will lead a high-level delegation of at least eight people, including four Cabinet ministers and three Members of Parliament.
The delegation, according to Mr Wetang’ula, will attend an unofficial party in Washington DC on the eve of the event, since ambassadors and their spouses are the only foreigners allowed to attend the event itself.
“It is like they are on a holiday spree, spending millions of shillings while Kenyans are eating mango fruits for breakfast, lunch and supper due to famine,” said Mr David Odhiambo, a third-year student at the University of Nairobi.
“There are so many issues facing Kenya, including the food issue, the fuel issue, the law review issue. If these politicians want to go, they should pay out of their own pocket,” said Mr Moses Anjia, a resident of Ruiru. Continues...
Also in Daily Nation:
Anger at waste on Obama trip
By CAROLINE WAFULA and JAMI MAKAN - Jan. 15 2009
Kenyans have criticised the planned trip by State officials to attend a party for the inauguration of Barack Obama as US president.
They are angry that the delegation is spending taxpayers’ money on the unofficial party at a time when millions are staring starvation in the face.
Former assistant minister Kalembe Ndile says the officials should not misuse taxpayers’ money to travel to the US, yet they will watch the ceremony on television sets from their hotel rooms.
Mr Ndile caused a stir at the Foreign Affairs ministry yesterday after he forcefully donated a 21-inch television for the top officials to use to follow proceedings at Mr Obama’s inauguration next Tuesday.
However, his gesture was not received well as his “donation” was rejected. The former Kibwezi MP was also not allowed into the building with the gift. None of the ministry officials was willing to take the TV set, with the minister, his assistant and PS not available to receive it. Continues...
They are angry that the delegation is spending taxpayers’ money on the unofficial party at a time when millions are staring starvation in the face.
Former assistant minister Kalembe Ndile says the officials should not misuse taxpayers’ money to travel to the US, yet they will watch the ceremony on television sets from their hotel rooms.
Mr Ndile caused a stir at the Foreign Affairs ministry yesterday after he forcefully donated a 21-inch television for the top officials to use to follow proceedings at Mr Obama’s inauguration next Tuesday.
However, his gesture was not received well as his “donation” was rejected. The former Kibwezi MP was also not allowed into the building with the gift. None of the ministry officials was willing to take the TV set, with the minister, his assistant and PS not available to receive it. Continues...
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