Governor defends trip

Joshua Irungu Laikipia County Governor PHOTO; COURTESY

Laikipia; Governor defends trip to US, says it won't be paid for by the county Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu has defended his planned ten-day visit to the US, saying it is not sponsored by the county government.

Irungu said the the tour is paid for by the Governor's Council to represent it in an international conference.

This comes on the back of criticism by the Commission on Revenue Allocation of what it called "wasteful" and costly foreign trips by governors and members of county assemblies (MCAs).

Woo investors

"I want to make it clear that I will be on a ten-day visit to the US, but contrary to the rumours going around, the trip is being sponsored by the Council of Governors, and I am not spending even a single shilling from Laikipia County Government," he said in Nyahururu town on Wednesday, insisting he would also use the trip to woo investors to the county.

"I will take the opportunity to meet investors ahead of the Laikipia Investors Forum, which is due next month. This is a great opportunity for me and the residents as it will bring goodies to Laikipia," said Irungu. He defended foreign trips made by his county's MCAs.

"We are already seeing the results of their foreign trips as we have seen investors troop to Laikipia to set up industries," he said.