Kenyan MPs trade flights for SGR in show of austerity as East African Legislative games kick off in Mombasa
In a display of solidarity with President William Ruto’s call for austerity, Members of Parliament (MPs) led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula swapped luxury flights for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train to travel to Mombasa for the annual East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Parliamentary Games.
The games, hosted this year by Kenya, bring together legislators from eight East African nations: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo, and Somalia. The event aims to foster unity, deepen regional integration, and promote collaboration among member states.
“We consciously decided as Parliament to join the rest of Kenyans in observing the austerity measures set by His Excellency the President,” Wetangula announced at the SGR Nairobi Terminus. “By choosing the train, we are saving taxpayers’ money, and these savings will go to other sectors of the economy to help Kenyans.”
Ordinarily, MPs would spend Ksh.70,000 on business-class air tickets for a round trip. By traveling on the SGR, costs have been slashed significantly. Premium VIP Coach tickets cost Ksh.12,000 round trip, while First Class tickets cost just Ksh.4,500, reducing individual transport costs to a maximum of Ksh.20,000.
In comparison, a round trip with Jambojet costs Ksh.29,000, while Kenya Airways business class tickets are priced at Ksh.60,000. Wetangula emphasized that the savings would be redirected to essential services such as healthcare and food security.
Beyond sports, the EALA Parliamentary Games serve as a forum for advancing East Africa’s integration goals, including monetary union, free movement of people and goods, and a common customs union. “These games are not just about trophies,” Wetangula remarked. “They are a process of deepening and tightening the East African Community engagement.”
The Speaker, also the President of the Bureau of the Speakers of the East African Community, expressed pride in hosting the games. He noted that delegates from the eight participating countries are already in Mombasa, with President William Ruto scheduled to officially open the games.
Local governors from the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River, and Lamu have also been invited to the event.
However, the celebrations were slightly dampened by news of an accident involving a bus carrying Tanzanian delegates. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, though some delegates sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention.
As the MPs embarked on their journey, Wetangula expressed optimism about the event’s success. “These members of Parliament are our goodwill ambassadors, representing Kenya and promoting regional harmony. May they bring back trophies and strengthen ties with our neighbors.”
The games promise to be a spectacular showcase of East African unity, with sports and camaraderie taking center stage in the coastal city of Mombasa.
