I Didn't Want To Pay Above Ksh10 Million- Ruto On Hiring Private Jet For US Trip

President William Ruto on Thursday, May 30 narrated how he came to hire the luxurious plane he used to travel to the United States (US), as he revealed that the aircraft cost taxpaying Kenyans about Ksh10 million.

Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Safari Park Hotel, the Head of State revealed that the cost of the cheapest plane available at Ksh70 million prompted him to direct his office to make travel arrangements with national airline Kenya Airways.

However, word got to his friends that he intended to use KQ, which offers direct flights between Kenya and the US, to which he claimed they offered him a plane worth Ksh10 million.

"When I was told the cheapest plane was Ksh70 million, I told my office to go book Kenya Airways.

"Some friends asked me, 'how much do you want to pay?' Then I said I was not ready to pay more than Ksh20 million. They said, 'bring Ksh10 million and we will give you the plane,'" the president remarked.

Ruto assured Kenyans that he was frugal in his spending, affirming that there was no world in which he was reported to spend Ksh200 million for the trip to the US.

"I am a very responsible steward, believe you me. There is no way I can spend Ksh200 million. In fact, let me disclose here. It cost the Republic of Kenya less than Ksh10 million. I am not a madman," the president remarked.

The Head of State asserted to the country that he must lead from the front in asking Kenyans to live within their means, adding that the debate on the cost of his visit to the U.S. should end.

"As I tell others to tighten up their belts, mine must be where to begin. It is going to be that way. We are going to make sure we live within our means.

"In fact, my plan is that in three years we must have a balanced budget. We cannot continue to have a budget that has a deficit," President Ruto said.

While travelling to the US, Ruto opted for a chartered jet, a Boeing 737-700 business jet from the Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet group. According to reports, hiring such a jet costs Ksh100 million for a one-way trip that carries 34 passengers and a return journey would also cost the same amount. 

Details showed that the plane could cost more than Ksh2 million per hour and this would vary depending on routing, scheduling, and number of passengers, among other details. There is also take-off and landing tax and parking depending on airport costs.  

A report by KTN News made reference to the Kenya Airways website regarding a business-class ticket for the Nairobi-New York leg to which it was discovered that a business-class seat costs approximately Ksh847,000.