“Ruto lay bare all the facts regarding … trip to the US.” – Azimio Chief Kalonzo To The President
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has urged President William Ruto to reveal the details of his recent trip to the United States.
Kalonzo questioned the President’s decision to use a private jet rather than the national carrier, saying it should be closely scrutinized.
In a statement on X, Kalonzo stated that the opposition should express such concerns.
“I challenge President William Ruto to lay bare all the facts regarding his recent overseas trip to the US. The money used to hire the Dubai private jet vis-à-vis using our National Carrier Kenya Airways needs further examination,” Kalonzo said.
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— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) May 26, 2024
It is in this spirit that I challenge @WilliamsRuto to lay bare all the facts regarding his recent overseas trip to the US.
The Sh.200 million used to hire the Dubai private jet vis-à-vis using our National Carrier @KenyaAirways needs further examination.
The deployment… pic.twitter.com/2xlWSoAJgg
The President traveled to the United States on an A6-RJU royal jet for a three-day state visit.
On Sunday, Ruto defended his decision, claiming that the cost of his trip to the United States was significantly lower than if he had taken a Kenya Airways flight.
Ruto stated that his decision to ensure the prudent use of State resources influenced his choice of plane to fly to the United States.
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns about 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 said.
Ruto, on the other hand, did not specify how much he paid for the hired jet or how much he would have paid if he had to fly with Kenya Airways.
A State House official had previously told the Star that the President could not use his presidential jet because it had never been to the United States since its purchase in the 1990s.
The official stated that the jet’s design allows it to operate effectively in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Local media quoted State House Press Secretary Emmanuel Talam as saying that the plane couldn’t be used because “it will have to stop five times to refuel”.
Kalonzo also expressed concerns about Ruto’s stance on sending police to Haiti.
According to the Wiper leader, the move contradicts the high court’s orders.
“The deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti despite a Justice Chacha Mwita judgement that deemed such actions as illegal and unconstitutional, is in contempt of the High Court,” Kalonzo added.
“As the government-in-waiting, we will be failing Kenyans if we do not raise these fundamental concerns. We must as a Nation advocate for the truth.”
“Ruto lay bare all the facts regarding … trip to the US.” – Azimio Chief Kalonzo To The President
