Iceland Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson flew to Malawi on a State Visit via Kenya’s national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ).
Director of the Icelandic Embassy in Malawi Inga Dóra Pétursdóttir posted a video of the prime minister and his team alighting from a KQ plane on Monday, May 20, 2024.
“What an honor to receive Iceland’s Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to Malawi! Takulandirani,” Pétursdóttir said.
Malawi police officers gave Benediktsson a guard of honour after he walked out of the KQ. Plane
Benediktsson flight coincided with that of Kenya’s President William Ruto departure to the United States (US) for a state visit.
Ruto Expensive Jet
According to reports, Ruto flew to the US using a Boeing Business Jet chartered by the Royal Jet Group, a prestigious private aviation company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The president opted for the private charter instead of Kenya’s presidential jet, the ‘Harambee One’ Fokker 70 ER.
A one-way trip on the Hiring Boeing jet from Nairobi and the US costs approximately $748,600, equivalent to roughly Ksh98 million.
Also Read: Details of Ruto’s Ksh 23B Coca-Cola & Education Deal in US
The jet is estimated to cost around $18,000 (Ksh2.4 million) per hour with the total travel expenses for the president’s trip are estimated to cost at least Ksh200 million.
Additionally, the chartered Boeing 737-77W BBJ boasts a capacity of 34 passengers and fly nonstop for at least 10 hours.
Its forward stateroom is notable, featuring an ensuite VIP lavatory, providing President Ruto with maximum privacy and convenience.
Also Read: Ruto Reveals Details of Ruiru Company Set to Hire 5,000 Kenyans
The journey began in Abu Dhabi as the jet departed on Saturday, May 18, morning, making a stopover in Nairobi where it awaited President Ruto’s departure on Sunday night.
Continuing its course, the flight made a stopover in Spain before concluding the final leg to Atlanta, with each segment of the journey lasting approximately 8 hours.
Ruto’s decision has attracted criticism on social media with Kenyans questioning why he never used the Kenya Airways flight which left for New York just two hours the Boeing jet.
US Embassy Clarifies
The US Embassy in Nairobi also clarified that the United States government did not fund President Ruto’s flight despite initial reports.
“Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto’s jet to the US,” said a spokesperson for the embassy.
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