Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura dismissed questions about the cost of President William Ruto’s trip to the United States terming them as nonsensical and unpatriotic.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Mwaura emphasized that the benefits of the trip far outweigh the costs.
This comes after the US embassy in Kenya denied claims that the United States government paid for the president’s jet. The issue of wastage within the Executive has resurfaced amid calls for austerity and an increasing tax burden on the common citizen.
Did you read this?
State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed released President Ruto's schedule ahead of his visit to the US.
On Monday, Ruto visited the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, underscoring Kenya's commitment to governance and anti-corruption efforts. He then paid tribute to the civil rights struggle at the Ebenezer Baptist Church and discussed the US-Kenya health partnership at the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) headquarters. The day concluded with Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto being hosted by the Kenyan diaspora in Atlanta.
On Tuesday, President Ruto will stress the significance of higher education in science and technology at Spelman College. He will then explore opportunities in the creative economy at Tyler Perry Studios and discuss new investments at the Coca-Cola company, inaugurating Vivo's first store. In the evening, he will attend a dinner hosted by Atlanta's mayor, Andre Dickens.
On Wednesday, President Ruto will travel to Washington, D.C., where he will receive full ceremonial state honors and meet with a congressional delegation. Discussions will also take place at Capital Hill.
On Thursday, President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto will lay a wreath at Arlington Cemetery in honor of deceased American soldiers and other historic figures. They will also hold a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden to highlight development opportunities.
