Those Are Stupid Questions: Govt Slams Kenyans Criticising Cost Of Ruto US Trip
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.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has criticised Kenyans who spent the better part of Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21 criticising the government over what they termed as 'exorbitant' costs of flying President William Ruto to the United States (US) for a state visit.
Mwaura was speaking during a meeting in Nakuru when he was cornered by reporters on the hefty price tag. He instead, prescribed the anticipated benefits of Ruto's trip to the U.S. against the costs incurred instead.
"The benefits President Ruto will bring for us won't fit the amount of fuel he has travelled with. The pyrethrum is used a lot in the US, so to you farmers, Ruto has gone to look for a market for you," he defended.
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.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura speaking during the centenary anniversary of PCEA Elburgon Central in Molo, Nakuru County on October 29, 2023. /ISAAC MWAURA
He called out critics for choosing to focus on the cost of using the plane to the US, which will cost the taxpayers over Ksh200 million, instead of focusing on the benefits of the visit.
Mwaura added that the trip was also unique given that Ruto was the first African President to be hosted on a state visit by US President Joe Biden.
"You people asking those questions (about the costs) are asking very stupid questions. Shame on you for propagating hot air. The President has travelled like an ordinary Kenyan to look for things to benefit the country and you are asking how much the fare is.
"He is even going to come back with more money than has been used for the plane. Don't those people (people asking about the costs) hate Kenya? He is the first African President to be called for a State Visit by President Joe Biden," he slammed.
President 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.
Earlier, the US government strongly denied claims that it footed roughly Ksh98 million to facilitate President Ruto's trip to the American nation on Monday aboard a Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ) chartered from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) company RoyalJet.
President Ruto opted to use the BBJ aircraft over the official Fokker 70ER presidential jet that he normally uses for international travels, with State House reportedly citing range limitations.
This is compared to his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, who opted for commercial flying, particularly choosing national carrier Kenya Airways in 2019. Ruto's choice of opulence drew criticism, especially considering that a Kenya Airways flight to New York took off just two hours after Ruto’s plane.
Ruto’s luxurious flight included a split 17-hour journey cruising at 34,000 feet in a Ksh9.3 billion ($71 million) aircraft.
The hourly cost of the jet ranges from $12,000 (Ksh1.6 million) to $18,000 (Ksh2.4 million), making the round trip from Nairobi to Atlanta and back potentially cost Ksh86.4 million at the high end.
Additionally, flying the plane from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi and back added to the expense. Each five-hour leg of this journey cost between Ksh8 million and Ksh10 million.
The jet left Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning, arriving in Nairobi by early afternoon, awaiting Ruto’s departure.
