President William Ruto has publicly defended his decision to charter a private jet for his recent trip to the United States, responding to widespread public criticism and questions regarding his choice of transportation.
A segment of the public and critics questioned why President Ruto opted for a private jet instead of using the official presidential aircraft or a Kenya Airways plane.
Addressing these concerns, Ruto emphasized that his decision was financially prudent.
In a statement released on Sunday, President Ruto explained that the cost of chartering the private plane was actually lower than what it would have been if he had flown with Kenya Airways (KQ).
“Fellow Kenyans, I have seen concerns about my means of transportation to the United States.
As a responsible steward of public resources and in line with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in doing so, the cost was less than traveling with KQ,” Ruto stated on his official Twitter account.
For his U.S. trip, President Ruto used the royal plane A6-RJU. Reports estimate that renting a Boeing business jet like the one Ruto used costs approximately $18,000 per hour, which is about Sh2,358,000.
Given that the flight to Atlanta, USA, where President Ruto made his initial stop, takes around 19 hours from Kenya, the total cost of the journey would be approximately Sh71,404,500 at that rate.
Additionally, it was clarified that the U.S. government did not cover President Ruto’s travel expenses.
Andrew Veveiros, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, made it clear that the expenses were not borne by the U.S. “Just to be clear: the U.S. did NOT pay for President Ruto’s flight to the U.S.,” Veveiros told a local news agency.
President Ruto’s decision to charter a private jet has sparked a debate on the appropriate use of public funds, particularly during times of economic hardship.
By choosing a cost-effective option, Ruto aimed to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and set an example for living within means.
Despite the criticism, Ruto’s explanation seeks to assure the public that his actions were motivated by a commitment to efficient use of resources, highlighting his administration’s focus on financial prudence.
The President’s defense underscores the complexities of balancing public perception and practical decision-making in state affairs.
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