State House now says the United Arab Emirates Government offered the private jet President William Ruto used to travel to the United States of America for less than Ksh.10 million.
In a statement to newsrooms on Thursday, May 30, State House spokesman Hussein Mohamed pointed out that Kenya has many friends they can partner and collaborate.
“As explained by the President on Thursday, the cost of the jet he traveled 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 KSh.10 million.”This is how nations operate, supporting and partnering with each other for mutual prosperity, and there are plenty of examples to illustrate this,” part of the statement read.
He added, “At under KSh.10 million, this was the most efficient and economical way for the President and his delegation to undertake a trip of this magnitude.” Speaking on Thursday during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Safari Park Hotel, the Head of State said that he was a responsible steward and there was no way he could spend Sh200 million on a plane as earlier reports suggested.
“I am a very responsible steward, believe you me. There is no way I can spend Ksh200 million. In fact, let me disclose here. It cost the Republic of Kenya less than Ksh10 million. I am not a mad man,” the president remarked.
The president claimed that when some of his friends, who now have turned out to be the UAE Government, heard that he was going to use a KQ flight, they offered him a plane for Sh10 million.
“We have built a big reputation as a country. Some friends asked me, ‘how much do you want to pay?’ Then I said I’m not ready to pay more than Sh20 million. They said, ‘Bring Sh10 million and we will give you the plane,'” the president remarked. President Ruto chartered a Boeing 737-700 business jet from the Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet group to travel to the US.
Hiring such a bird costs Ksh100 million for a one-way trip that carries 34 passengers and a return journey would also cost the same amount.
Details showed that the plane could cost more than Ksh2 million per hour and this would vary depending on routing, scheduling, and number of passengers, among other details.
