Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso has defended her cabinet from claims of unsupported foreign travel expenditure, saying the trips were beneficial.
Auditor General Edward Ouko has queried the expenditure.
Laboso, through Finance executive Andrew Sigei, said they indeed spent Sh6 million higher than the previous financial year on foreign trips, but said the amount was much less compared to similar expenditure in other counties.
"As a matter of fact, the executive spent Sh20,555,072 during the 2016-17 financial year and Sh26,264,110 in the 2017-18 financial year. A spot check on the Auditor General's report reveals that Bomet spent less compared to other counties," Sigei said in a statement on Friday.
He said the media had misreported the Auditor General's report.
Sigei said the foreign trips had yielded expected benefits.
"It is important to note that out of these foreign travels, we have acquired assorted medical equipment worth Sh176 million and also received Sh6 million for public participation through Ford Foundation among other benefits," Sigei said.
"We are also collaborating with MD Anderson medical research on oncology."
He said the county was committed to prudent use of public funds.
