President William Ruto has explained why he hired a private jet for his four-day state visit to the United States of America.
Through a statement on his official X account, the head of state said the cost of his recent trip onboard Boeing 737-700 was less than travelling on KQ.
He underscored his commitment to living within ‘our’ means, saying he his mandated to lead from the front.
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to 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,” reads the statement.
Similarly, in an Interview with global news network, VOA Africa, Ruto strongly refuted reports by news outlets claiming that his recent trip to the United States cost around $1.5 million (Ksh 200M).
President William Ruto described these figures as “completely exaggerated” and “ridiculous”.
The president was questioned by the VOA reporter over accusations levelled against him of overspending.
![President William Ruto received by CS Kindiki Kuthure, CS Aden Duale, PS Raymond Omollo and IG Japhet Koome following his trip to the US. Photo/PCS](https://thekenyatimes.com/storage/2024/05/back-home2-750x375.jpg)
“Kenyans are saying you are overspending, but at the same time you have asked Kenyans to tighten their belt for you to recover economically. What do you say about this?” asked the reporter.
Ruto in response to the query emphasized that the reports being circulated about the cost of his trip were wildly inflated.
“I think the expenditure on my trip are completely exaggerated. They are actually bordering on ridiculous,” Ruto said in the interview
Ruto Defends Himself
He emphasized his commitment to responsible resource management noting that he had cut down funding to his office and other various government agencies by 30% to prioritize development, education, and social welfare programs.
“I am very careful about the resources that I spend in fact I have cut down on funding to my office. I have cut down on funding to different government agencies,” Ruto explained.
Also Read: Citizen TV’s Ayub Abdikadir Corners Ruto at White House
He further defended his approach, highlighting his efforts to live within the government’s means.
“In fact, I have reduced by 30% the recurrent expenditure in this budget so that we can accommodate and live within our means as I have said, and we can push more resources to the realm of development, to providing help and doing the things that matter, including cash transfer to citizens,” he added.
Additionally, during the interview Ruto declined to disclose the specific cost of the trip but reiterated that the numbers being circulated are excessive.
“There are people who will answer those questions, but I can tell you from where I sit that the number being circulated around is ridiculous to say the least,” Ruto stated.
Controversy Around Ruto’s Trip
The president’s comments come in response to reports that he chartered a luxurious Boeing 737-700 for his United States trip, which came at a cost of at least Ksh 2.4m ($18,000) per hour.
The exorbitant fee left citizens feeling outraged, with some labeling the decision insensitive, citing current economic hardships in the country, worsened by the new increased taxes.
However, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura on May 21 defended the use of the luxury plane, saying that the benefits of Ruto’s US trip far outweighed the transport costs for him and his entourage.
Also Read: ‘Ushindwe Wewe Ibilisi’ – Isaac Mwaura Lectures Kenyans Questioning Ruto’s Jet Cost
Mwaura also reiterated that the trip is an honor for Kenya, considering that Ruto is the first African head of state to be invited by US President Joe Biden for a state visit since 2008.
Additionally, he emphasized that those who were concerned about the economic implications of the president’s trip were missing the bigger picture.
“The President has gone as the elder of the Kenyan community and you are asking what the cost of fare is, yet he will come back with more than that fare in millions,” added Mwaura.
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![Ruto Addresses Criticism Surrounding His US Trip](https://thekenyatimes.com/storage/2024/05/Mwaura-Speech-e1706857678562-750x375-1-1.png)
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