The Star has established that 14 members of the National Assembly and six senators are in Russia at the expense of the Kenya government.
Sports CS Rashid Achesa said officials from his ministry have not travelled to Russia.
"We were invited but opted out. It is too expensive and a waste of money, " he said, adding that it would have cost the government about Sh3.8 million if he had traveled.
He said his ministry had recommended six MPs from the Sports committee to travel and was not aware of any others who had travelled.
"Many others are in Russia but they may have travelled on their own," he said.
No Kenyan footballer was sponsored by the state to travel to Russia and Kenya continues to perform dismally in the Fifa rankings.
The politicians travelled in two batches, one group leaving on July 2 and another on July 5. They are expected to stay in Russia until after the World Cup final on July 15.
The parliamentary delegation is comprised of members of the Committee Sports, Labour and Social Welfare as well as the Parliament's football Club called Bunge FC.
MPs on the trip include Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town) who chairs the Sports committee, Wafula Wamunyinyi ( Kanduyi), Sylvanus Maritim (Ainamoi), and Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town).
Senators were to be led by Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi) but he had not left by yesterday.
However Cleopha Malala ( Kakamega), Aaron Cheruyiot ( Kericho) and Judy Pareno (Nominated) are now in Moscow.
The lawmakers traveled when accommodation charges, air tickets and food prices have skyrocketed as the world floods into Russia for the World Cup that happens every four years.
Parliament yesterday defended the trip as official benchmarking to give MPs first hand experience on how to host international tournaments.
“It is their responsibility to understand sports, how to host such international tournaments. This is not a holiday and it is too simplistic to look at it as a joyrider mission,” said Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye who is also the CEO of the Parliamentary Service Commission that determines the responsibilities and remuneration of legislators.
-The Star