Ruto: Friends Offered Me Sh10 Million Private Jet for US Trip

President William Ruto’s recent trip to the United States has ignited a heated debate surrounding fiscal responsibility and the expenditure of public funds.

The bone of contention revolves around the private jet he utilized for the journey, prompting scrutiny and calls for transparency. While addressing the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Ruto vehemently refuted claims that the private jet cost Kenyan taxpayers a staggering Sh200 million. He asserted that the plane was graciously provided by friends, and the actual cost incurred was significantly lower, amounting to less than Sh10 million. The President highlights his commitment to leading by example and ensuring responsible spending.

However, Ruto’s remarks have raised eyebrows and sparked concerns regarding the integrity of the purported ‘donation.’ According to Article 76 of the 2010 Constitution, any gift or donation bestowed upon a State officer during a public or official occasion is considered a gift to the Republic and must be delivered to the State unless exempted by law. Delving deeper into the controversy, the details surrounding the private jet add fuel to the fire. State House chartered a Boeing 737-700 business jet operated by Royal Jet, a Dubai-based airline renowned for its luxurious charter services. Royal Jet’s target market is the affluent clientele travelling between the UAE, Europe, and the USA, commanding a hefty price tag of $18,000 (Sh2.4 million) per hour.

A quotation obtained from Royal Jet reveals that a one-way flight from Nairobi to Atlanta would cost a staggering $748,600 (Sh98 million) for the 18-hour journey. Considering that Ruto also visited Washington, D.C., the round trip aboard the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) would undoubtedly exceed the Sh200 million mark. While Ruto maintains that the trip cost less than Sh10 million, the figures paint a different picture. The opposition coalition has intensified its scrutiny of President William Ruto’s recent trip to the United States, citing concerns over the exorbitant cost of the flight and the perceived extravagance amidst the nation’s financial constraints. The opposition has demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the matter despite clarifications from the US embassy in Nairobi that the host did not cover the cost of the President’s one-way trip.

The opposition lawmakers have questioned the government’s allocation of substantial funds for a luxury flight, particularly in light of the ongoing flood crisis that has left many Kenyans in dire need of assistance. The Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo has called for the establishment of a special committee in Parliament to investigate the expenses incurred in chartering the expensive jet, terming the President’s lavish spending a contradiction to his calls for austerity. Echoing similar sentiments, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has voiced his disappointment in the Kenya Kwanza government’s apparent disregard for the struggles faced by Kenyans.