President William Ruto arrived back in Kenya on Saturday evening after a four-day state visit to the United States.
His arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was marked by a warm reception from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
President Ruto, traveling in a chartered Boeing 737-700, faced criticism over the cost of hiring the plane, which is estimated to cost taxpayers about Ksh2.4 million per hour.
Accompanying him were members of his entourage, including Defence CS Aden Duale and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah. “It is good to be back home,” Ruto expressed on his social media page.
At the airport, Ruto shared light moments with cabinet officials and politicians, signaling the end of a significant and productive international trip.
His state visit to the US began on May 20, starting with his arrival in Atlanta, Georgia.
Throughout his visit, President Ruto held a series of high-level meetings before being hosted by US President Joe Biden at a luxurious State Dinner, which included several high-profile personalities such as former US President Barack Obama.
In a statement on Thursday, May 24, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura highlighted the benefits of Ruto’s state visit, noting that it had secured over Ksh600 billion in grants, equipment, and projects for Kenya.
President Ruto’s visit to the US marked a historic moment as the first state visit by an African president since 2008, when George W. Bush hosted then Ghanaian President John Kufuor.
This visit underscores the strengthening of Kenya-US relations and showcases Kenya’s growing role on the global stage.
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