After weeks of outrage over the Executive‘s dishonesty with the so-called austerity measures, Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has defended President William Ruto’s insatiable appetite for foreign trips.
Speaking in Kwale County on Thursday, November 2, the DP said Ruto should continue travelling abroad to seek development projects and investors.
“The president and I decided to tour the Coast because you all know he has been engaged with foreign trips to seek development projects and international investors,” said Gachagua.
Gachagua mentioned that the government got support from foreign investors to undertake the electricity projects in Mkwiru and Lunga Lunga village in Kwale County.
Further, Gachagua criticized the politicians opposing the president’s trips arguing that they are not development oriented.
Additionally, the DP urged President Ruto to continue seeking international investors to help the local citizens.
“We will support you and ask you to continue doing your work because you were elected by Kenyans, and you know which way you want to lead this country.
There might be no wealth in Kenya, but other countries have it, continue traveling, get us this wealth so that we can also develop,” said the DP.
According to Gachagua, President Ruto is free to travel and spend time out of the country provided he comes back and update Kenyans on the development projects received abroad.
Ruto to Cut Travel Budget
Gachagua’s remarks came after President Ruto announced plans to cut his travel budget by Ksh.500 million to finance infrastructural development in the education sector.
Speaking on Thursday, October 27, Ruto explained that the money will be used to supplement resources for the best education.
“I will submit a proposal to the National Assembly tomorrow and ask the Members of Parliament (MPs) to pass it.
The proposal seeks to knock off a few things so that I can save Ksh.500 million to support the production of aide devices for children with special needs,” Ruto said.
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Previous report indicated that Ruto spent over Ksh.56 million on foreign trips within his first six months after taking over in September 2022.
Furthermore, the reports showed that Ruto travelled to foreign countries 38 times, visiting 45 cities worldwide in 83 days.
The National Treasury allocated Ksh.700 million to the Office of the President to sponsor these trips.
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Gachagua Missing in Action
DP Gachagua jetted back to the country on Tuesday, October 31, evening after his foreign trip to Belgium and Germany.
He chaired a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, November 1, and was updated on the ongoing projects in the country.
“Today, I chaired a Cabinet Committee meeting at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi,” the DP said in a statement.
Gachagua, Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi and Baringo Member of Parliament Joshua Kandie left the country on October 24 on official duty to Europe.
