Kenyans React As William Ruto Arrives In China Aboard Kenya Airways: "The Pride Of Africa"

• President William Ruto arrived in China on Monday, September 2, for the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit
• Ruto and his entourage, including First Lady Rachel Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, were aboard Kenya Airways
• The spectacular look of the KQ flight in the background of the photo taken as the president alighted caught the attention of many Kenyans

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia has over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

President William Ruto is in China for the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

Ruto left the country on Sunday, September 1, and arrived in Beijing, China, on Monday, September 2.

The head of state and his entourage, including First Lady Rachel Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, aboard the Kenya Airways flight.

What Kenyans said about Ruto's KQ flight to China

The spectacular look of the KQ flight in the background of the photo taken as the president alighted caught the attention of many Kenyans.

The majority commended the move, applauding the president for promoting the national carrier.

@AnuarSaddat said:

"Good to see the Pride of Africa standing behind you."

@safe_schoolske noted:

"Via @KenyaAirways the Pride of Africa!"

@Hakunamipaka_ wrote:

"At least this time you used Kenya Airways Mr President. Good to see the Pride of Africa soar."

@Marc4_ke asked:

"You mean no private jet for hire?"

@Luhinglish said:

"Kenya airways, the pride of Africa among the pandas."

@BrianLiques argued:

"The Pride of Africa. This is how the president should be rolling, not with fancy unaffordable private jets."

@jumaf3 noted:

"It is the Kenya Airways in the background for me... This is what we always screamed about."

@MwangiMaina_ wrote:

"The Kenyan jet-setting president, famous for his love of luxurious private jets, decided to surprise everyone by slumming it on a commercial flight to Beijing."

How William Ruto traveled to the United States

Others asked whether the Kenya Airways flight cost was cheaper this round compared to when Ruto travelled to the US using a private jet.

@nicsaburi alleged:

"Friends didn't come through or Kenya Airways became cheaper."

@X6Atlantis claimed:

"Tangu mucomplain KQ ilipunguzia mkuu fare."

In May 2024, Ruto defended the cost of the private plane he used to the United States of America after criticisms

Responding to criticism, the president said it would have been more expensive had he used the Kenya Airways plane.

However, remarks by the president attracted fury from Kenyans, who doubted the factual basis of Ruto's explanation.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke