US responds on claims of sponsoring Ruto’s Ksh200 million opulent jet amid public outcry
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The US Embassy denies sponsoring Ruto’s Ksh200 million high-end jet for his state visit to America
The US Embassy denies sponsoring Ruto’s Ksh200 million high-end jet for his state visit to America.
President William Ruto’s government is facing a storm of controversy after reports revealed that his chartered Boeing 737-700 business jet on the four-day tour will cost taxpayers nearly Ksh200 million for his state visit to the United States.
The luxury charter, provided by the Abu Dhabi-based airline Royal Jet, charges $18,000 (Ksh2.4 million) per hour.
A quoted cost for a one-way flight from Nairobi to Atlanta was $748,600 (Ksh98 million) for the 18-hour journey.
This sum, along with the return trip and additional flights, brings the total expense to more than Ksh200 million, reported The Standard on Tuesday.
The hourly rate for hiring a Boeing Business Jet ranges from $12,000 – $20,000, which is approximately Ksh1.58 million to Ksh2.63 million in the current exchange rates, with the price rising depending on the stops and how long the trip lasts.
Despite initial rumours, the US Embassy in Nairobi has 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,” said 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, citing its range limitations.
Unlike his predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta, who flew commercially with Kenya Airways in 2019, Ruto chose a more opulent option for his journey.
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The decision has drawn criticism, especially considering 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 luxurious flight included 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, far 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 left Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning, arriving in Nairobi by early afternoon, awaiting Ruto’s departure.
The plane is also scheduled to make fueling stops in Spain which adds to the total figure of hiring the plane.
The BBJ boasts a living room, dining area, and a lounge with eight plush leather seats that can recline into flatbeds, two marble tables, and privacy partitions.
Another section includes eight more flatbed-capable seats and 18 premium seats for the entourage, even though the plane can typically accommodate up to 150 passengers.
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