US Gov't Denies Funding William Ruto's Flight Inside Pricey Jet

• President William Ruto used an Abu-Dhabi-based airline's Boeing 737-700 which offers services at a rate of KSh 2.4 million per hour
• The US government has denied sponsoring his flight to the States amid uproar from Kenyans who cited betrayal
• The president was accompanied by various leaders, including Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

President William Ruto is in the United States for a four-day state visit, which commenced on Monday, May 20.

Ruto chose to forgo the traditional presidential jet in favour of a chartered Boeing 737-700 business jet operated by Royal Jet of Dubai.

This triggered a backlash from Kenyans, who feel it contradicts the president's past advice urging citizens to live within their means, particularly in the context of tax increases.

In response to public reactions, the US embassy in Nairobi has clarified its role in facilitating the trip, according to NTV Kenya.

“Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto’s jet to the US,” said a spokesman.

How much does Boeing 737-700 charge?

Investigations into the jet reveal that the Abu Dhabi-based airline offers charter services at a rate of KSh 2.4 million per hour, meaning a one-way 18-hour flight from Nairobi to Atlanta costs KSh 98 million.

The president's choice of airline is attributed to its ultralong-range capability, surpassing most aircraft designed for flights lasting between 10 and 12 hours a day.

He was accompanied by various leaders including Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Why did William Ruto travel to the US?

Ruto initiated his journey by visiting the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta to emphasise the shared dedication to governance and anti-corruption initiatives.

The president was slated to honour the civil rights movement at Ebenezer Baptist Church before heading to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) headquarters to address the health collaboration between the US and Kenya.

Additionally, he is set to give a speech at Spelman College in Atlanta centring on the important role of higher education in promoting science and technology.

The tour will wrap up with a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden, focused on showcasing development prospects.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke