President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto were welcomed by a children’s band upon their arrival at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, USA.
The Head of State embarked on a four-day official visit to the United States, aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and exploring new bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
During this historic trip, the President expressed his commitment to deepening collaboration between Kenya and the U.S. for the mutual benefit of both nations.
However, Ruto surprised many by opting not to use his usual presidential jet. Instead, he boarded a high-end private Boeing 737-700 business jet operated by Royal Jet, a luxury charter airline based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
This unexpected move stirred speculation across social media platforms.
According to reports from The Standard, Royal Jet’s charter services cost approximately $18,000 (KSh 2.4 million) per hour, targeting elite travelers across the UAE, Europe, and the U.S. A quotation from the airline revealed that a one-way flight from Nairobi to Atlanta cost $748,600 (KSh 98 million) for the 18-hour journey.
Factoring in the return trip and additional travel to Washington, D.C., the total cost of the President’s travel aboard the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) was projected to exceed KSh 200 million. The same rate would apply for the aircraft’s return to Abu Dhabi.
What are your thoughts on President Ruto’s decision to fly aboard a private Royal Jet? Share your views in the comments and follow for more updates.
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