'Maswali ya kipuzi!' Gov't Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura defends cost of Ruto's US trip

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has defended the expenditure associated with President William Ruto's four-day State visit to the US, which is estimated to cost taxpayers an upwards of Ksh.200 million in travel expenses alone.

Ruto opted to lease a Boeing 737-700 business jet from the Royal Jet of Dubai for the U.S. trip instead of using his presidential jet, a Fokker 70ER, due to the latter's limited range.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline charges around 18,000 USD per hour (approx. Ksh.2.4 million) to charter the business jet.

A single trip from Nairobi to Atlanta, spanning roughly 18 hours, will cost taxpayers approximately Ksh.98 million. Therefore, a round trip could potentially surpass the Ksh.200 million mark since Ruto also travelled from Atlanta to Washington D.C., a trip spanning two-hours.

The travel expenses will also factor in the time it took the business jet to arrive in Nairobi from Abu Dhabi and vice-versa.

Speaking in Nakuru County on Tuesday, Mwaura was pressed by reporters on the hefty price tag, but he chose to highlight the anticipated benefits of Ruto's trip to the U.S against the costs incurred instead.

"Faida William Ruto atatuletea haitoshi ile mafuta ameenda nayo," said Mwaura.

Citing the potential for increased foreign investments and lucrative trade deals resulting from the State visit to the US, Mwaura argued that the benefits of the trip far outweigh its financial costs.

"Hii pareto inatumika sana kule Marekani kwa hivyo nyinyi wakulima, (Ruto) ameenda kuwataftia soko. Kwa hivyo wewe unauliza maswali haya ...hiyo maswali ni ya kipuzi kabisa. Shindwe wewe ibilisi, pepo mbaya," said Mwaura.

"Rais ameenda kama mzee wa Kenya, kutafuta alafu wewe unauliza fare ni pesa ngapi na akirudi atarudi na zaidi ya hiyo fare mara milioni. Yeye (Ruto) ni Rais wa kwanza ambaye ameitwa kutoka Africa kuenda State visit Marekani."

President William Ruto arrived at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday afternoon, ahead of a busy four-day visit to the United States.

Among the dignitaries waiting to welcome President Ruto at the airport included Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei and US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman as well as the Mayor of the City of Atlanta, Andre Dickens.

The first visit by an African leader in 15 years is expected to strengthen ties with the United States of America while also opening doors to investment.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed announced on Sunday that Ruto will travel from Monday, May 20, to Thursday, May 23, when he will meet with President Joe Biden.