President William Ruto assured Kenyans on Sunday that the hiring of a private jet for his recent trip to the United States was not a waste of public funds.
Addressing concerns raised by citizens, Ruto emphasized that chartering the jet was the most economical option compared to commercial airlines operating between Kenya and the U.S.
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to the United States,” Ruto acknowledged.
“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 traveling on the national airline.”
The President’s statement followed similar remarks made during an interview with VOA Africa, where he highlighted that the choice of transport was driven by austerity measures.
Ruto dismissed claims that the jet was leased for five days at a cost of Ksh200 million as exaggerated and bordering on the ridiculous. “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 asserted.
While denying the Ksh200 million claim, President Ruto did not disclose the exact amount spent on the trip.
State House had previously explained that using the presidential jet would have required five stopovers for refueling, making it an impractical option.
On May 21, the United States Embassy in Nairobi clarified that it had not chartered the jet on behalf of the Kenyan government. This clarification came amid growing international attention on the cost of the chartered plane during Ruto’s U.S. State Visit.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura urged journalists to focus on the substantive outcomes of the visit rather than the trip’s cost.
“Instead of obsessing about the trip’s cost, we should concentrate on the deals that will be signed and their eventual benefits to Kenyans,” Mwaura said.
The cost of the chartered jet, estimated at Ksh2.4 million per hour, sparked debate among Kenyans.
However, President Ruto and his administration have maintained that the benefits of the agreements and partnerships forged during the visit far outweigh the travel expenses.
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