Kenyan president Ruto defends cost of private jet for US trip while calling for prudent spending

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI
Associated Press

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan President William Ruto says the cost of hiring a private jet for his state visit to the U.S. last week was $76,000 as opposed to the $1.2 million reported by Kenyan media outlets. Ruto said some friends offered him a cheaper jet after he made inquiries and offered to travel using the state carrier Kenya Airways. The president undertook a four-day trip to the U.S. last week, where his host President Joe Biden praised him for “bold leadership.” Ruto’s delegation of about 30 people including musicians, actors and a comedian provoked an uproar back home over the cost even as he called for prudent spending. The president on Thursday said he was a very “responsible steward.”