‘Don’t drag KQ into your expensive US trip’ – Otiende Amollo tells Ruto
Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo has urged President William Ruto to stop dragging Kenya Airways (KQ) into the cost of his trip to the United States of America.
Otiende Amollo claimed President Ruto's trip to the US was extravagant, arguing that many other heads of state travel cheaper.
"Mr President, let it be said clearly! Your USA trip was extravagant! Many heads of state travel cheaper! Worst of all, you then drag a limping KQ into it!" the lawmaker posted on his official X account.
Mr President, Let It Be Said Clearly! Your USA Trip Was Extravagant! Many Heads Of State Travel Cheaper! Worst Of All, You Then Drag A Limping KQ Into It!— Otiende Amollo, SC,MP, EBS (@OAmollo) May 27, 2024
Amollo on travelling cheaply
The lawmaker further made a comparison of how the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, used to travel when he served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 2010 and 2016.
Amollo claimed Cameron used to travel commercially whenever possible and boarded a British commercial airline when he travelled to the US to meet the then President Barack Obama in 2010.
Ruto on trip cost
President Ruto sparked a debate while responding to questions regarding the cost of his trip to the US when he argued that it was cheaper to charter a plane compared to using Kenya Airways.
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to USA. As a responsible steward of public resources and in keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on KQ,” Ruto said.
FellowKenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to USA. As a responsible steward of public resources and in keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on KQ.— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 26, 2024
Otiende Amollo joined a section of Kenyans who had faulted Ruto for asking other public servants to live within their means when he broke the bank to tour the US.
Ruto left the country on Sunday, May 19, 2024, aboard a chartered Boeing 737-700 that was said to be operated by the Royal Jet of Dubai. 
The jet costs approximately Ksh98 million for a single trip from Nairobi to Atlanta, USA.
A round trip could, therefore, surpass the Ksh200 million mark as the president also used the same jet to travel from Atlanta to Washington DC, a trip spanning two hours.
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