Kenya’s President William Ruto has said he will not splurge the nation’s resources on luxury, expressing incredulity at the notion of utilizing a lavish private jet for his state visit to the United States, accompanied by a sizable entourage of 30 individuals.
Recent allegations accused Mr. Ruto of expending $1.5 million for the hire of a Boeing 737-700 VIP private jet for the trip.
In a viral video, Mr. Ruto clarifies that the actual cost of the private jet was a mere 10 million shillings, pointing out a stark contrast to the extravagant sum suggested by the allegations.
“I must lead from the front as I tell others to tighten their belts. Mine must be where it begins. So relax, and the debate must end,” said Mr. Ruto.
He mentioned that a few acquaintances from Kenya assisted him in securing a private jet at a discounted rate.
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Addressing critiques on his lavish expenditures, Mr. Ruto asserted at a National Prayer Breakfast event in Nairobi that he couldn’t have possibly splurged to that extent, adding, “I am not irrational.”
He clarified that he was informed the most economical option for a plane amounted to approximately $530,000. Consequently, he directed his office to arrange flights with Kenya Airways for himself and his entourage.
“We have built a big reputation as a country, and we have built friends. I said I was not ready to pay more than ($153 million). They said, bring ($73,000; we’ll give you the plane,” the Kenyan president explained.
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