Narok County Senator Ledama Olekina has questioned President William Ruto’s claims that the jet he used during his state visit to the US cost taxpayers less than Ksh10 million.
Ledama who addressed President Ruto on Friday, May 31, 2024, through his official X account doubted Ruto for saying he was offered the royal jet by his friends.
Ledama on jet offer
Ledama wants the head of state to tell Kenyans what he gave in return for such an offer for a plane that would cost up to Ksh200 million for a return trip to the US.
“Good Morning President William if you were given a luxury jet for Ksh 10M one that cost US$200M what do you give the ‘philanthropist’ in return?” Ledama posted.
Good Morning Mr President @WilliamsRuto if you were given a luxury jet for Ksh 10M one that cost US$200M what do you give the ‘philanthropist’ in return ?
— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) May 31, 2024
President Ruto on Thursday, May 30, 2024, during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park hotel claimed that the plane he used during his concluded state visit to the US was less than Ksh10 million.
Ruto on plane offer
Ruto stated that he had been given an offer for Ksh70 million but he was only willing to spend not more than Ksh20 million.
This forced him to ask his team to go and make an inquiry from Kenya Airways but before the team went, Ruto received an offer from his friends, which he could not resist.
“When I saw the debate in Kenya as to how I travelled to the US, there was all manner of figures, such as this plane is big and must have cost Ksh. 200 Million because the president needed to arrive in the US in style holding Rachael’s hand.
“I am not a madman. When I was told the cheapest plane was Ksh70 million, I told my office to go book Kenya Airways,” Ruto stated.
Ruto on Kenya Airways
According to Ruto, the friends offered to give him the private jet for Kshs10 million only when they heard that he was planning to travel to the US on the national carrier.
“When some friends heard that I was going to travel using KQ, they asked me how much I wanted to pay. I said I am not ready to pay more than Ksh.20 Million. They said bring Ksh.10 million we will give you the plane,” he said.
Ruto maintained that he will never spend a lot of money on anything at the expense of the taxpayer.
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