• Ruto insisted that he is a responsible steward.
• The President explained that when he was told the cheapest plane is Sh70 million, he told his office to go and book Kenya Airways.
President William Ruto now says that the plane he used for his state visit to the United States cost the taxpayer less than Sh10 million.
Image: FILE
President William Ruto now says that the plane he used for his state visit to the United States cost the taxpayer less than Sh10 million.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday, Ruto maintained that as a responsible citizen, he would not have allowed millions of taxpayers' money to be used wrongly.
"There is no way I can spend Sh200 million. Let me disclose here that it cost the Republic of Kenya less than Sh10 million. I am not a madman," he said.
The President explained that when he was told the cheapest plane was Sh70 million, he told his office to go and book Kenya Airways.
"When some friends of mine heard that I was going to travel using Kenya Airways and we have built a big reputation as a country and we have built friends, they asked me how much do you want to pay? I said I was not ready to pay more than Sh20 million. They said bring Sh10 million we'll give you the plane," Ruto narrated.
The President said he is very deliberate in leading from the front as he tells others to tighten their belts.
He called on Kenyans to relax and end the debate, insisting that he is very responsible.
"Look at me Kenyans, I must lead from the front... And it will remain that way," Ruto said.
The Head of State added that t in three years, Kenya must have a balanced budget.
He said he has instructed everyone in government that it is where Kenya is headed.
The cost of President Ruto's trip to the US elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans after it emerged that he hired a private jet believed to be costly.
The visit to the US was on the invitation of US President Joe Biden for a state visit.
The President travelled to the US aboard an A6-RJU royal jet. He used the same jet on his way back.
Multiple reports quoted the cost of hiring the jet at more than Sh200m.
This attracted uproar among Kenyans who questioned the President why he did not use the Kenya Airways plane.
But Ruto on Sunday said the amount spent on the plane was cheaper than what would have been spent on the National carrier, Kenya Airways.
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns about my mode of transport to the USA. As a responsible steward of public resources and in keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on KQ,” the President said.