Ruto’s foreign trips have earned Kenya Ksh.2 trillion benefits, gov’t spokesperson Isaac Mwaura states

The government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has defended President William Ruto’s trips abroad.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, while outlining the government’s achievements in his inaugural press conference, Mwaura said Kenya has gotten Ksh.2 trillion worth benefits as a result of the various international deals Ruto has signed since assuming office in September last year.

He cited the investment Kenya has received from countries like the United Kingdom, the United States and China.

“If you have Ksh.900 billion investment in our country, it is going to be a game-changer. The biggest project they have is the railway city here in Nairobi that is going to revolutionise our urban transport system,” Mwaura said.

He further outlined the recent signing of a Ksh.8.7 billion ($60 million) agreement with the Unites States’ Millennium Change Corporation (MCC) to finance the acquisition of electric buses for Line 2 of Nairobi’s Bus Rapid Transit system.

According to the government spokesperson, the President has signed MoUs in trade, ICT, energy, transport, education, labour and security, opening the country to business opportunities.

“If we have 350,000 Kenyans going abroad imagine the kind of money that is being sent home if we are currently getting about Ksh.750 billion from Kenyans abroad,” Mwaura said.

He also noted that Kenya has bagged $75 million in green investment to boost its climate action efforts, adding, that the President has also had talks with the Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to have a grain hub in Mombasa.

President Ruto has made tens of trips abroad since assuming office, attracting criticism from the opposition and a section of Kenyans. 

But his team, including his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, has supported the trips, saying they are for the benefit of the country.