President William Ruto has claimed that it cost Kenya less than Sh10 million to hire the plane he used during his recent state visit to the United States of America.
Speaking on Thursday, May 30, during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Safari Park Hotel, the Head of State intimated that he was a responsible steward and there was no way he could spend Sh200 million on a plane as earlier reports suggested.
"I am a very responsible steward, believe you me. There is no way I can spend Ksh200 million. In fact, let me disclose here. It cost the Republic of Kenya less than Ksh10 million. I am not a mad man," the president remarked.
President Ruto further intimated that when he was told that the cheapest plane was Sh70 million, he told his office to book him a Kenya Airways flight.
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However, the president alleged that when some of his friends heard that he was going to use a KQ flight, they offered him a plane for Sh10 million.
"We have built a big reputation as a country. Some friends asked me, 'how much do you want to pay?' Then I said I'm not ready to pay more than Sh20 million. They said, 'bring Sh10 million and we will give you the plane,'" the president remarked.
The Head of State said that he must lead from the front in asking the nation to live within its means, adding that the debate on the cost of his visit to the U.S. should end.
"As I tell others to tighten up their belts, mine must be where to begin. It is going to be that way. We are going to make sure we live within our means. In fact, my plan is that in three years we must have a balanced budget. We cannot continue to have a budget that has a deficit," President Ruto affirmed.
While travelling to the US, Ruto opted for a chartered jet, a Boeing 737-700 business jet from the Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet group.
According to reports, hiring such a jet costs Ksh100 million for a one-way trip that carries 34 passengers and a return journey would also cost the same amount.
Details showed that the plane could cost more than Ksh2 million per hour and this would vary depending on routing, scheduling, and number of passengers, among other details. There is also take-off and landing tax and parking depending on costs at different airports.
