By Ebi Kesiena
Members of Kenya’s Parliament will travel by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Mombasa for the 14th East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary Games, scheduled for December 6–17, 2024.
The move was disclosed by National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula, as part of Parliament’s broader efforts to reduce expenditure.
Wetang’ula confirmed that all MPs, including himself, will use the SGR for the journey, although it remains unclear whether they will travel in premium class coaches.
A one-way premium class ticket costs about KSh 12,000, while a return ticket is KSh 20,000. Children aged 3 to 11 pay approximately KSh 6,100 for a one-way trip.
The decision aligns with the government’s ongoing austerity measures aimed at curbing public spending. These measures include dissolving at least 47 state corporations with overlapping functions and eliminating confidential budgets in various executive offices. While these steps are expected to trim costs, concerns persist about their potential impact on ordinary Kenyans.
This year’s EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games will see nine member states participate, marking the inclusion of Somalia for the first time. Other participating nations include Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the host country, Kenya.
The multi-discipline sporting event will feature football, netball, volleyball, basketball, athletics, tug of war, darts, and golf. Key venues include the Kenya Ports Authority’s Mbaraki Stadium, which will host football and athletics, and Aga Khan Academy, which will accommodate basketball, volleyball, netball, darts, and team training sessions.
This collaborative event highlights the region’s commitment to fostering unity and promoting engagement through sports.
