Ruto Defends Travel Expenses Amid Public Outcry
On Saturday, July 1, in response to a backlash from Kenyans over the president’s increased spending on travel, William Ruto, the Deputy President, defended his trips abroad.
Ruto gave an address in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya, during the Thanksgiving service of Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo. He explained that trips like these were necessary for his plan to create employment opportunities for Kenyans.
The Head of State continued by saying that his trip abroad was essential because it will assist him in fulfilling his promise to create one million jobs for Kenyans in foreign countries during his campaign.
Ruto indicated that the international trips were also necessary because they allowed him to sign bilateral agreements with his colleagues. This was one of the reasons that the trips were necessary, according to Ruto.
He went on to say that other world leaders admired the work ethic of Kenyan workers and had a soft spot for Kenyan workers as a result.
We need one million jobs for Kenyans who are currently working in other countries. A lot of people in Kenya want to know why I’m going to the United States, Canada, and Europe. I am going to go there to make deals with the other countries that are out there.
Ruto made the statement that all of those presidents have told him that they want Kenyans who are workers because they know that Kenyans are known for their skills and minds.
On the other hand, he reaffirmed his intention to establish information and communications technology hubs in each of the country’s wards. He went on to explain that this move would make it possible for Kenyans to work for foreign businesses while continuing to reside in their home country.
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He asserted, “We are building a fiber optic network across the country because we want to use all means to build another one million digital jobs.” The reason for this is that “we want to use all means to build another one million digital jobs.”
In his response, Ruto was addressing concerns regarding the increased spending by the government on international travel.
Since he took office on September 13, 2022, the Head of State has traveled beyond the borders of Kenya more than 25 times; the most recent of these trips was to France.
According to reports, Deputy President Prieto spent 88 million Kenyan shillings on international travel in his first six months in office.
In response to the government’s decision to increase spending despite the weak state of the economy, several Kenyans and other leaders have voiced their criticism to the media.
“There is one thing about Ruto that I have gained knowledge of. When he refers to the right, he unquestionably has the left in mind. The narrative of the hustler was central to his campaign, but believe me when I say that the hustler class will be hardest hit by this administration.
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Pauline Njoroge, the Deputy Organizing Secretary for Jubilee, stated that “Uhuru Kenyatta was way more of a hustler president than Ruto will ever be,”
However, several leaders have also defended Ruto’s expenditures by pointing out the value that they bring to the economy of the country.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that “We want to encourage you that you must continue with bilateral diplomacy for the benefit of this country as you continue to locally harness resources to restore the economy of this country to where President Mwai Kibaki left us,” and “We want to encourage you that you must continue with bilateral diplomacy for the benefit of this country.”
Ruto Defends Travel Expenses Amid Public Outcry
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