Kenyan leader says ‘friends’ funded luxurious private jet for US visit

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenyan President William Ruto addressed concerns Thursday about the cost of a recent state visit to the US, clarifying that his “friends” funded the private jet used for the trip.

Ruto dismissed claims that his travel on the luxurious Boeing 737-700 business jet cost 200 million Kenya shillings ($1.5 million), but said the cost was 10 million Kenya shillings.

"I am a very responsible steward, believe you me. There is no way I can spend 200 million shillings, in fact, it cost the republic of Kenya less than 10 million shillings because I am not a madman," Ruto said during a national prayer breakfast at Safari Park in Nairobi.

"When some of my friends heard that I was going to travel on Kenya Airways, they asked me how much I was ready to pay and said not more than 20 million shillings. They told me to pay only 10 million to get the plane," he added.

The president said during his recent visit to the US, he bolstered ties with Washington, including inking key trade deals, and his team also participated in significant trade negotiations and signed key deals with American investors.

Ruto's explanation comes amid the rising cost of living in Kenya which has been worsened by high taxation across all sectors.

The government has emphasized that the US did not fund the aircraft used by Ruto and his delegation.

Ruto visited from May 23 - 26 in the first visit by a Kenyan leader to the US in two decades.

He returned May 27 and said his trip also focused on debt, health care, democracy, securing significant investments and regional security.