Raila Complains About Ruto's Foreign Trips

The former Prime Minister further noted that he was tired of seeing Kenyans suffer due to the high cost of living across the country.

Raila Complains About Ruto's Foreign Trips
ODM Leader Raila Odinga addresses a gathering in Nairobi on October 12, 2022. /RAILA ODINGA

Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, questioned President William Ruto over the series of foreign trips he has embarked on in his first month in office.

Speaking during roadside rallies in Ruaraka and Mathare constituencies in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 12, Raila claimed that the new administration spent Ksh200 million on Ruto's trips to the United Kingdom and the United States of America (USA).

He then wondered where the government got the money for the foreign trips yet it had claimed on numerous occasions that the Treasury coffers were emptied by the previous administration.

President William Ruto riding to Queen Elizabeth's funeral aboard a bus and US counterpart, Joe Biden travelling in his armoured motorcade to the same destination. /VIRALTEAKE

"They said that they found the government treasury bankrupt. In the same month, they went to Europe to bury the queen and they spent Ksh 200 million, where did that come from?

"They have gone to Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. These people are not to be trusted at all," Raila lamented.

The former Prime Minister further noted that he was tired of seeing Kenyans suffer due to the high cost of living across the country.

“I went silent after the elections. I have been quiet, but I have realized my people are suffering and I have decided I can’t stay in the dark anymore. I decided to move around and meet the people one-on-one, ask them questions and find out how they are,” he said.

Since being sworn in on Tuesday, September 13, Ruto has made five trips out of the country, with his first one coming before he could even complete his first week. He flew to London to attend the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth held on Monday, September 19.

He then went to New York in the United States where he attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and gave a powerful speech.

Within Africa, Ruto flew to Ethiopia on October 6, his first intercontinental visit, where he also attended bilateral talks between him and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

He flew back to the country, only to leave again to honour an invitation from Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni to celebrations to mark the East African neighbouring country's 60th year since attaining independence.

He then flew to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania where he held bilateral talks with President Samia Suluhu.

The delegation that has been accompanying him on various trips has also been subject to debate as most of the delegates happened to be loyals from Ruto's Kenya Kwanza camp.

In his first trip to the UK and the US, Ruto travelled alongside the First Lady Rachel Ruto, Kiharu legislator Ndindi Nyoro, Cabinet Secretary-designate for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Alfred Mutua, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Sports, Culture CS nominee Ababu Namwamba and Kenya Kwanza's advisor on economic affairs David Ndii.

On his trip to Ethiopia, Ruto was accompanied by Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale and CS nominee for the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Davis Chirchir. 

Questions were also raised regarding his trip to Uganda as various factions questioned why he did not bring along his daughter and son-in-law on the trip, especially his son-in-law who not only has international experience but is also married to Ruto's daughter, June Ruto.

From right; President William Ruto, 2nd lady Rachel Ruto, their daughter June Ruto and her husband Alexander Ezenagu. /TWITTER