Kenya’s Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, has laid bare the staggering cost of President William Ruto’s foreign travel, revealing that the head of state spent Sh 1.3 billion on trips abroad in just three months—averaging over Sh 500 million every single month.
The bombshell figures, contained in a report tabled before parliament, have sparked fresh outrage at a time when millions of Kenyans are struggling under the weight of high living costs and heavy taxation.
Jets, Hotels and Bilateral Deals That Benefit the Elite
According to the controller of budget, Ruto’s ballooning travel bill is largely driven by the hiring of luxury private jets—including the Gulfstream G550—and premium hotel accommodation, all billed to the Kenyan taxpayer.
In the period under review, Ruto made trips to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Norway, Finland, and other destinations, where he signed what the State House described as bilateral trade agreements worth billions of shillings.
But critics argue that ordinary Kenyans have seen nothing from these deals. Scholarships arising from such agreements, sources say, are quietly awarded to children of the elite and ruling class. Business opportunities go to those with power connections. The hustler on the street who voted Ruto into office gets nothing.
Parliament Captured, Oversight Dead
Parliament, which is constitutionally mandated to oversight such spending, has largely been silent. Critics say the legislature has been effectively captured by the executive, with MPs more interested in praising the president than holding him accountable.
The situation is a far cry from what Ruto promised during the 2022 election campaigns, when he rode to power on the back of his famous “Hustler Nation” mantra—positioning himself as the champion of ordinary Kenyans against a wealthy establishment.
Four years into his presidency, the script has flipped entirely.
$1.3 Billion in 3 Months
To put the figure in context, Sh 1.3 billion in 90 days works out to:
- Sh 14 million every single day
- Sh 500 million every month
- Enough to build dozens of hospitals or pay thousands of teachers for a year
As Kenyans tighten their belts, their president appears to be doing the exact opposite at their expense.
CityNews will continue to monitor and report on government spending.
