State House Again Changes Tune on Plane Ruto Used for US Trip Hours After Ruto’s Reveal at National Prayer Breakfast.
State House Again Changes Tune: State House on Thursday evening clarified that the private plane President William Ruto used for his US State visit was offered by the United Arab Emirates government for less than Ksh10 million.
In a statement, State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohammed, reiterated that President William Ruto was committed to the austerity cause which the Head of State has insisted is the only way to set Kenya on a solid sustainability footing.
Hussein stated, “As explained by the President on Thursday, the cost of the jet he travelled in for the historic and successful US State Visit was offered by friends of Kenya at a relatively low cost. In this specific case, the United Arab Emirates Government offered the aircraft at less than KSh10 million,”
This comes hours after president Ruto revealed that the jet was offered to him by friends after it was established the cost of chartering a plane would end up being to expensive for the Kenyan taxpayer.
Ruto stated,”When I was told the cheapest plane was Ksh70 million, I told my office to go book with the national carrier, some friends asked me how much I wanted to pay, I said I wasn’t ready to pay more than Ksh10 million, they told me to bring the money and they gave me the plane,”
Further, Hussein Mohammed went on to elaborate and share examples of national cooperation from the UAE government and other nations in general that Kenya had benefited from.
He stated that 2018, the UAE government donated to Kenya six military-grade FENNEC helicopters and three ECUREUIL trainer aircraft. The donation included accompanying servicing spares, spare parts, and tools, cumulatively valued at Kshs 4 billion.
Hussein Outlined,”The USA is now donating to Kenya 16 helicopters and 150 Armoured Security Vehicles under an agreement signed between the two countries during the President’s State Visit.
The specifics are as follows:
1. 150 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, scheduled for delivery in September 2024.
2. 8 utility helicopters, to be delivered in September 2024.
3. 8 light utility helicopters, to be delivered by early 2025.
He added: At under KSh10 million, this was the most efficient and economical way for the President and his delegation to undertake a trip of this magnitude. The President continues to lead from the front in implementing austerity measures to ensure Kenya lives within its means. He is encouraged by government ministries, departments, and agencies taking the cue and is on course to ensure Kenya records a balanced budget in three years’ time.