Kakamega County Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has said he has received reports of a plan by some national government officials to travel to the United States for the World Cup final, warning that such a trip would raise serious questions on public spending.

Speaking to a local radio station on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Savula said public money should not be used on foreign trips that do not directly benefit ordinary Kenyans.

World Cup finals tour to the US

“I’m being told that there are national government officials who are planning to make a trip to America for the World Cup finals.

“That is a waste of public funds and it raises the question: what value does it add to the common mwananchi?” Savula said.

The Kakamega deputy governor further warned that spending public funds outside approved budgets could expose officials to legal consequences.

“Taking government money to carry out functions that are not in the approved budget is illegal and can lead to prosecution and imprisonment,” he added.

Savula did not name the officials said to be planning the trip.

His remarks come at a time when public expenditure remains a major political issue, with Kenyans increasingly questioning foreign travel, allowances and non-essential spending by public officers.

Savula contrasted the reported World Cup travel plans with what he described as Kakamega County’s approach to public spending.

Savula speaks on Kakamega County spending

He said the county administration had prioritised completing stalled projects inherited from the previous administration before launching new ones.

“We are completing stalled projects from the previous administration while also undertaking new ones. We cannot begin new projects without first completing the ones that were left unfinished,” he said.

The deputy governor also said Kakamega had reduced unnecessary travel to protect development funds.

“We have limited travelling and do not see the need for globe-trotting. We want our money to be used for development in the county and to improve the lives of our people,” Savula added.

Savula’s comments add to the growing political debate over whether senior government officials should spend taxpayer money on international sporting events when countries.

By the time of publication, the national government had not publicly responded to Savula’s remarks or confirmed whether any officials had been approved to attend the World Cup final in the United States.