Kenyan President Ruto Defends Cost-Effective Private Jet Hire

Kenyan President William Ruto clarified that his recent state visit to the US cost USD 76,000 for a private jet, countering media reports of USD 1.2 million. Friends offered him a cheaper option after he explored traveling with Kenya Airways. Ruto emphasized his commitment to prudent government spending.

Kenyan President William Ruto said Thursday the cost of hiring a private jet for his state visit to the US last week was USD 76,000 as opposed to the USD 1.2 million reported by Kenyan media outlets.

Ruto said some friends offered him a cheaper jet after he made inquiries and offered to travel using the state carrier Kenya Airways.

The president undertook a four-day trip to the US last week, where his host President Joe Biden praised him for "bold leadership." Ruto's delegation of about 30 people including musicians, actors and a comedian provoked an uproar back home over the cost even as he called for prudent spending. The president on Thursday said he was a very ''responsible steward." Ruto had earlier said the cost of using the private jet was lower than flying on Kenya Airways, without providing evidence.

Ruto has been calling for reduced spending in government since the public called out his administration for increasing taxes without reducing expenditures.

The government is increasing taxes on basic goods in the next financial year while seeking to raise an additional USD 2.3 billion to finance the budget.

Earlier in May, Ruto defended the new taxes saying: "I'm not going to preside over a country in debt distress. We have to cut our spending."

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