US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has elaborated on the protocols surrounding President William Ruto's State visit to the United States in May 2024.
Whitman clarified on the Citizen TV show that the diplomatic arrangements and financial responsibilities during the trip highlighted the collaboration between the Kenyan and US governments.
Ambassador Whitman noted that President Ruto and his delegation independently arranged and funded their travel to the United States. However, once they arrived, the US government covered the expenses for their four-day stay.
"The protocol is that the head of state and his entourage get themselves to the United States, and then we take care of the expenses from there," she explained. Following the visit, Ruto and his team were responsible for their return trip to Kenya, per the established protocol.
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President Ruto's travel arrangements garnered attention when he departed Nairobi on May 19, 2024, aboard a chartered Boeing 737-700, reportedly operated by Dubai's Royal Jet. He used the same jet to make stops in the US and returned to Kenya on May 25, 2024.
The estimated cost for the luxury jet's round trip, including a two-hour flight from Atlanta to Washington D.C., is said to have exceeded Ksh.200 million.
The hefty travel expenses sparked public outcry, with many Kenyans criticizing Ruto for urging public servants to "live within their means" while spending extravagantly on his US visit.
President Ruto defended his decision and visit, asserting that the chartered jet cost Ksh.10 million and was more economical than using Kenya Airways.
He emphasized that this was a significant discount from the initial Ksh.20 million offer by his "Arabian friends."
