|
LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Kenya’s President William Ruto addressed criticism Thursday regarding the private plane he used for his recent trip to the United States, stating that the aircraft cost approximately Ksh 10 million. He said that “some friends” of the country provided the plane at this price after he had initially planned to use the national airline to save costs.
Speaking at a National Prayer Breakfast event in Nairobi, President Ruto dismissed claims that the flight had cost around $1.5 million to hire a Boeing 737-700 VIP plane, saying, “I am not a mad man.” His remarks, however, sparked further backlash, with many Kenyans questioning the identity of these “friends.”
President Ruto’s visit to the US last week marked the first official state visit by an African leader in over 15 years. During the three-day trip, Kenya secured several investment deals worth billions of dollars. Upon his return, the president defended the cost of his trip, asserting that the luxury jet was more economical than the national airline, though he did not disclose specific figures.
Critics have continued to question his statement, suggesting he should have flown with Kenya Airways. President Ruto explained that he had been informed the cheapest plane would cost about $530,000. He then instructed his office to book Kenya Airways for himself and his entourage of about 30 people. However, when friends learned of his plan to travel commercially, they offered him a private plane at a significantly lower cost.
“We have built a big reputation as a country and we have built friends… I said I was not ready to pay more than $153,000. They said bring $73,000, and we’ll give you the plane,” President Ruto recounted. He said he is committed to preventing the misuse of taxpayer money. “I must lead from the front as I tell others to tighten their belt, mine must be where it begins.”
Despite his call to “relax and the debate must end,” the controversy has persisted, with some Kenyans demanding transparency about the source of the offer.
The ongoing debate over government spending arises amid concerns that public funds are being used extravagantly, which officials have consistently denied. Since taking office in 2022, President Ruto has implemented several new taxes and increased existing ones, leading to widespread discontent among Kenyans.
The estimated cost for a single trip from Nairobi to Atlanta, approximately 18 hours long, is around Ksh.98 million, making the round trip cost potentially exceed Ksh.200 million. This cost includes travel from Atlanta to Washington D.C., a two-hour journey.
The high cost of the trip has sparked public outrage, with many Kenyans criticizing the President for urging public servants to live within their means while he spent a significant amount on the U.S. tour. Earlier in the week, responding to these criticism, Ruto defended his choice, arguing that the private jet was more economical than using Kenya Airways (KQ).
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to the USA. As a responsible steward of public resources and in keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on KQ,” Ruto stated in a tweet on Sunday.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura had also addressed the concerns, asserting that the benefits of the visit far outweighed the private jet’s expense. “The benefits President Ruto will bring back are worth more than the travel cost,” Mwaura remarked in Swahili. “This private jet is frequently used in America, and Ruto went to secure markets for our farmers. Therefore, questioning the cost is absurd. The President went to represent Kenya, and he will return with benefits worth many times the fare.”
Earlier reports suggested that the U.S. had covered Ruto’s travel expenses, a claim dismissed by the U.S. embassy in Nairobi. “To be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto’s jet to the US,” a spokesperson clarified.
Additionally, Kenya Airways refuted a social media statement claiming it was cheaper to travel to the U.S. using their services, labeling it as fake and contradicting President Ruto’s justification for not using a KQ flight.
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.