Narok County Senator Ledama Olekina has raised doubts about President William Ruto’s assertion that the jet he used during his state visit to the US cost taxpayers less than Ksh10 million.
Addressing President Ruto on Friday, May 31, 2024, via his official X account, Olekina questioned Ruto’s claim that he was offered the royal jet by his friends.
Olekina is skeptical about what Ruto might have given in return for such an offer, considering that a plane of that caliber could cost up to Ksh200 million for a return trip to the US.
“Good Morning President William if you were given a luxury jet for Ksh 10M one that cost US$200M what do you give the ‘philanthropist’ in return?” Ledama posted.
Good Morning Mr President @WilliamsRuto if you were given a luxury jet for Ksh 10M one that cost US$200M what do you give the ‘philanthropist’ in return ?
— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) May 31, 2024
During the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel on Thursday, May 30, 2024, President Ruto claimed that the plane he used for his recent state visit to the US cost less than Ksh10 million.
He explained that although he had been offered a plane for Ksh70 million, he was only willing to spend up to Ksh20 million. However, before his team could inquire further with Kenya Airways, Ruto received an offer from his friends that he couldn’t refuse.
“When I saw the debate in Kenya as to how I travelled to the US, there was all manner of figures, such as this plane is big and must have cost Ksh. 200 Million because the president needed to arrive in the US in style holding Rachael’s hand.
“I am not a madman. When I was told the cheapest plane was Ksh70 million, I told my office to go book Kenya Airways,” Ruto stated.
Ruto on Kenya Airways
According to Ruto, the friends offered to give him the private jet for Kshs10 million only when they heard that he was planning to travel to the US on the national carrier.
“When some friends heard that I was going to travel using KQ, they asked me how much I wanted to pay. I said I am not ready to pay more than Ksh.20 Million. They said bring Ksh.10 million we will give you the plane,” he said.
Ruto maintained that he will never spend a lot of money on anything at the expense of the taxpayer.
