Itumbi Dismisses List Of Ruto's Children, Atwoli & 761 Kenyans Attending COP 28
The official list was released by the UNFCCC and indicated that a section of the delegation was already in Dubai, with others set to join in the coming days
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President William Ruto flew out of the country on Thursday, November 30 to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), accompanied by a delegation of 764 Kenyans, a list Digital Strategist, Dennis Itumbi has since refuted.
The official list was reportedly released by the UNFCCC and indicated that a section of the delegation was already in Dubai, with others set to join in the coming days for the conference which began on November 30 and is set to run until Tuesday, December 12.
The list showing the Kenyan delegation seen by Viral Tea indicated that Ruto had travelled alongside First Lady, Rachel Ruto together with their children who include Charlene Ruto (Patron), Stephanie Ruto (Staff) and June Ruto (Protocol).
President William Ruto addressing the COP 28 conference in Dubai, UAE on Friday, December 1, 2023. /PCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's wife, Dorcas Rigathi was also part of the delegation which also included five Cabinet Secretaries such as Njuguna Ndung'u (Treasury), Rebecca Miano (Trade), Aisha Jumwa (Gender), Davis Chirchi (Energy), Susan Nakhumicha (Health) and Soipan Tuya (Environment).
Principal Secretaries also in attendance according to the list included Festus Ng’eno (Environment and Climate Change), Christopher Kiptoo (Forestry), Abraham Korir (Foreign Affairs) Salome Wairimu (Correctional Services), and Mary Muthoni (Health).
Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, whom Ruto appointed to several government roles, also formed part of the delegation that also included Attorney General, Justin Muturi.
Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir), Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Erick Mutai (Kericho), Adam Jama (Garissa) are among governors in attendance.
Other governors include Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Paul Otuoma (Busia), Stephen Sang (Nandi), Issa Timamy (Lamu), Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok), Gideon Mung'aro (Kilifi) and Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga).
Senators in attendance include Oburu Oginga (Siaya), Ali Kibwana (Lamu), Wakoli David (Bungoma), Agnes Kavindu (Machakos), Tabitha Mutinda (Nominated) and Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay).
The list was split into two: 368 from the party and 397 overflow. Itumbi however broke down how the President cut down the list to just 51 essential staff from the Executive in adherence to austerity measures.
"President William Ruto is very serious about cutting down travel costs. He asked for the list of those travelling with him to Dubai for COP 28. He got a list of 189 people.
"He returned it to the bureaucracy and demanded cuts. It came back as 144. He instructed that the list come down to below 60. Finally, only, fifty-one (51) - Essential staff travelled from across Government. That was a 73% cut on travel costs," Itumbi clarified.
On Friday, October 27, Ruto ordered the Treasury to reduce the travel budget of all government institutions to the tune of Ksh11 billion. He also denounced media reports that he reduced the budget by Ksh500 million.
Notably, the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) recommended in its dialogue report that the National Executive, Parliament, Judiciary, County Executives, County Assemblies, Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices should reduce their travel budget by 50 per cent.
In particular, NADCO recommended all state and public officers travel in economy class for flights of not more than four hours. A flight from Nairobi to Dubai is usually 5 hours and 5 minutes long.
