President William Ruto’s administration has been hit with controversy following revelations that his four-day state visit to the United States, aboard a chartered Boeing 737-700 business jet, will cost taxpayers nearly Ksh200 million.
This expenditure comes amid government calls for cost-cutting across various sectors and the elimination of budgets for some agencies in the proposed budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
The luxury charter, provided by Abu Dhabi-based airline Royal Jet, charges $18,000 (Ksh2.4 million) per hour.
The cost for a one-way flight from Nairobi to Atlanta was quoted at $748,600 (Ksh98 million) for the 18-hour journey. The total expense, including the return trip and additional flights, exceeds Ksh200 million, as reported by The Standard on Tuesday.
Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto were received at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday, May 20. The hourly rate for hiring a Boeing Business Jet ranges from $12,000 to $20,000 (approximately Ksh1.58 million to Ksh2.63 million), with the price varying depending on the stops and duration of the trip.
Amidst initial rumours, the US Embassy in Nairobi clarified that the United States did not fund President Ruto’s flight. “Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto’s jet to the US,” stated a spokesperson for the embassy.
This trip marks the first state visit to the United States by an African president in 15 years. President Ruto opted for the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) over his official Fokker 70ER due to its range limitations.
In contrast to his predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta, who flew commercially with Kenya Airways in 2019, Ruto chose a more luxurious option for his journey. This decision has drawn criticism, especially since a Kenya Airways flight to New York departed just two hours after Ruto’s plane.
A business class ticket on this flight would have cost between Ksh123,000 and Ksh234,000, but would have required a connecting flight to Atlanta. The logistical and security demands of a state visit made this option less feasible.
Ruto’s opulent flight involved a split 17-hour journey cruising at 34,000 feet in a $100 million (Ksh13 billion) aircraft.
The BBJ, designed by Edese Doret, offers unparalleled luxury, surpassing commercial first-class experiences. The hourly cost of the jet ranges from $12,000 (Ksh1.6 million) to $18,000 (Ksh2.4 million), making the round trip from Nairobi to Atlanta and back potentially cost Ksh86.4 million at the high end.
Additionally, flying the plane from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi and back added to the expense. Each five-hour leg of this journey cost between Ksh8 million and Ksh10 million. The jet departed Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning, arriving in Nairobi by early afternoon, to await Ruto’s departure.
