President William Ruto is concluding a two-day state visit to Germany, where he has signed several agreements, including a significant deal on comprehensive migration and mobility.
This trip marks Ruto’s 66th international journey during his two-year presidency, a total that is double the number of foreign trips taken by the late President Mwai Kibaki throughout his entire decade in office.
Known for his prolific travel, Ruto has earned the nickname “the flying president” due to his extensive foreign travel record.
In just two years, he has averaged three international trips per month, with his latest visit to Germany further adding to his impressive tally.
During his time in Berlin, Ruto attended the signing of a bilateral labor migration agreement between Kenya and Germany.
This includes the Kenya-Germany Agreement on Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership and coincided with the annual Citizens Festival.
Ruto highlighted Kenya’s role as a gateway to Africa and emphasized the significance of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area in opening up the African market.
While Ruto’s frequent travels have stirred controversy among taxpayers, his high-profile visit to the United States in May drew notable attention due to the luxurious nature of the trip.
Ruto arrived at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport aboard a chartered Boeing 737-700, operated by Dubai-based Royal Jet.
The cost of hiring such a jet typically exceeds Ksh. 200 million, with one-way flights from Nairobi to Atlanta potentially reaching up to Ksh. 98 million.
Despite public backlash, Ruto defended the expense, suggesting that a commercial flight with Kenya Airways would have been more costly.
He later claimed that UAE friends had covered the cost, stating on May 30, 2024, that the trip had cost Kenya less than sh. 10 million.
However, his assertions have faced skepticism, with many Kenyans accusing him of hypocrisy for advocating austerity while engaging in extravagant travel.
On April 7, 2024, Ruto had called for fiscal responsibility, stating, “We must tell ourselves the truth; the time has come for us to live within our means.”
During the recent Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill of 2024, Ruto’s foreign trips slowed, with his only travel in the past two months being a visit to Rwanda for President Paul Kagame’s swearing-in.
His most recent trip was a week-long visit to China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.
In comparison to his predecessors, Ruto’s travel record is unprecedented.
Former President Mwai Kibaki made 33 foreign trips during his ten years in office, while Ruto has already doubled that figure in just two years.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta made 151 trips over his decade-long presidency, and Ruto is on pace to potentially reach 180 trips by the end of his term if his current rate continues.
Despite the potential cost to taxpayers, Ruto argues that the benefits of his extensive travels outweigh the expenses.
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