February 9, 2025
President Ruto Claims Private Jet Cheaper Alternative Than KQ

President Ruto Claims Private Jet Cheaper Alternative Than KQ

President William Ruto told Kenyans on Sunday, May 26, that using a private plane for his journey to the United States was not a waste of funds. 

In a statement, the President stated that the jet was the most cost-effective alternative among airlines operating between Kenya and the United States. 

“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to the United States,” he acknowledged Kenyans who had questioned the expense.

“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 the national airline.”

Ruto’s announcement came a day after he made similar statements in an interview with VOA Africa, emphasizing that his mode of transportation was influenced by austerity measures. 

Ruto said it was ridiculous for people to keep repeating rumors that the jet was rented for five days at a cost of Ksh 200 million. 

“I think the expenditure on my trip is completely exaggerated. They actually border on ridiculous. I am very careful about the resources that I spend,” he stated.

President William Ruto denied the Ksh200 million assertion but could not specify how much taxpayer money was utilized to fund the trip. 

State House initially said that Ruto and his delegation couldn’t have flown the presidential jet because it would have required five refueling stops. 

On May 21, the US Embassy in Nairobi denied that it had chartered the jet on behalf of the Kenyan government.

During Ruto’s US State Visit, the expense of chartering the plane drew international attention, prompting government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura to urge journalists to cease worrying over the trip’s cost. 

Instead, Mwaura requested the media to focus on the transactions that would be signed, suggesting that the long-term advantages outweighed the cost of travel.

President Ruto Claimes Private Jet Cheaper Alternative Than KQ

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *