Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Calls for Parliamentary Inquiry into President Ruto’s $1.4 Million US Trip
Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya has demanded a parliamentary investigation into President William Ruto’s recent $1.4 million luxury flight to the United States. The opposition coalition has accused the President of wasteful spending at a time when the country is grappling with financial constraints and ongoing flood crises that have left many Kenyans in dire need of aid.
Clarification from the US Embassy
The US embassy in Nairobi clarified that the United States did not cover the costs of President Ruto’s flight. “Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto’s jet to the US,” a spokesperson stated. The President, on a four-day state visit, departed on Sunday aboard a Boeing Business Jet 737-700, hired from Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet Group. The 18-hour flight cost nearly $17,000 per hour, totaling approximately $441,000 for the one-way trip.
Opposition’s Criticism
Opposition lawmakers have expressed outrage over the extravagant expenditure, especially in light of Kenya’s financial difficulties. Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo criticized the government’s spending, stating, “We want a special committee established in Parliament to investigate the expenditures that went into hiring that expensive jet. Interior of the Luxury jet This extravagance mocks the President’s calls for austerity.”
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua echoed these sentiments, urging the committee not to “sanitize” the situation as it did with the ‘Hustler Jet’ scandal in 2014. He called on President Ruto to reimburse the funds, arguing, “If he is the hustler that he says he is and if he cares about this country, he should refund that money to the National Treasury because it was an unnecessary expenditure.”
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also questioned the necessity of the expensive flight. “The President of Kenya has spent close to $1 million on a private jet, just to be in the US. This is happening at a time when the President is telling Kenyans to tighten their belts and live within their means. why the trip is painful to kenyansWe are seeing the level of profligacy in this government,” Sifuna said. He criticized cuts in essential programs, such as the school feeding initiative, in favor of such luxurious expenditures.
Detailed Cost Breakdown
The cost of President Ruto’s travel is expected to exceed $1.4 million when considering the round trip from Atlanta to Abu Dhabi. The delegation accompanying the President includes politicians, businesspeople, aides, and artists, marking one of the largest entourages for a state visit. This extensive delegation contradicts the presidential directive aimed at limiting travel parties to essential staff only, further inflaming criticisms of government extravagance.
Historical Context and Future Implications
This incident is reminiscent of a previous controversy involving President Ruto when, as Deputy President in 2013, he faced backlash for hiring a jet at $720,000 for a tour of four West African countries. The recurring theme of expensive travel at taxpayer expense has prompted opposition leaders to call for stricter oversight and accountability.
In light of these developments, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya is advocating for a thorough parliamentary inquiry to scrutinize the expenditures associated with the President’s trip. They argue that such scrutiny is necessary to ensure government spending aligns with the nation’s economic realities and priorities.
As the debate unfolds, Kenyans await the outcomes of this proposed inquiry and the potential implications for future governmental spending practices. The opposition’s call for accountability underscores a broader demand for transparency and fiscal responsibility in managing public resources, particularly in challenging economic times.
About The Author
