By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The State House has come out to issue a clarification over the jet President William Ruto and his delegation used for the recently concluded state visit to the US.
This followed a fresh round of controversy sparked by the President on Thursday.
Initially, reports indicated that it cost tax payer Ksh200m to hire the jet.It’s a figure the Head of State defended, indicating that the cost was way cheaper that what he could have used had he boarded the Kenya Airways.
But on Thursday, the President provided new information indicating that the jet he used was given to him by friends.
However, he did not give details into the said friends, leading to more questions.
“When I was told the cheapest plane was 70M, I told my office to go book KQ..Some friends told me, ‘How much do u want to pay?’. I said, ‘I’m not ready to pay more than 20M” They said, ‘Bring 10M & we will give you the plane,” Ruto said during a National Prayer Breakfast.
However, the admission of getting the plane from friends opened up a new claim – that the President broke the law for accepting a bribe.This narrative was being pushed by politicians allied to the opposition.
However, the State House has now come out to clarify that it is the government of the United Arab Emirates that offered the aircraft.
In a statement, state House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed affified that indeed the travel cost Ksh10 million.
“As explained by the President on Thursday, the cost of the jet he travelled in for the history and successful US State Visit was offered by friends of Kenya at a relatively low cost,” Mohammed said in part of the statement.
“In this specific case, the United Arab Emirates Government offered the aircraft at less than Ksh10 million,” he added.
The State House further said it was not the first time UAE was offering support to Kenya.He said it donated to Kenya six military-grade FENNEC helicopters and three ECUREUIl trainer aircraft.
“The donation included accompanying servicing spares, spare parts and tools cumulatively valued at Ksh4 billion,” said State House spokesperson.
“Yes, Kenya has friends, and their unrest is to have a secure partner state with which they can trade, invest and collaborate,” Mohammed added.
He also insisted that the price paid for the jet was the most efficient and economical way the President and his delegation”to undertake a trip of this magnitude.”