Owners of Royal Jet VIP Plane William Ruto Hired for US State Visit
President William Ruto is currently undertaking a four-day state visit to the United States of America (USA).
Ruto and his delegation commenced their journey to the US on Monday, May 20, utilizing a Boeing 737-700 business jet.
The expense associated with leasing a Royal Jet VIP plane is under scrutiny.
The head of state reportedly paid approximately KSh 200 million for the lease.
This estimation is based on the aircraft’s capacity for continuous flight for 10 to 12 hours, resulting in a total cost of KSh 98 million for the 18-hour flight from Nairobi to Atlanta.
KTN News revealed that the Abu Dhabi-based airline offers charter services at a rate of KSh 2.4 million per hour.
The Royal Jet Dubai plane hired by Ruto is owned and operated by the Al Nahyan family, based in Abu Dhabi, Dubai.
The Royal Jet Group, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, is renowned for leading the global premium private aviation sector.
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The company operates twelve Boeing Business Jets and three Bombardier Global 5000/6000 aircraft, providing a wide range of aviation services.
The estimated net worth of the Royal Jet owner, Sheikh Mohammed, is $10 billion (KSh 1.3 trillion).
Sheikh Mohammed is the brother of Sheikh Khalifa, who previously served as the Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates.
The Al Nahyan family’s total net worth surpasses $305 billion (KSh 40.5 trillion), outstripping even the wealthiest individuals listed on the Bloomberg Index.
Regarding the funding of Ruto’s Royal Jet trip to the US, the government defended the expenditure, emphasizing the potential economic benefits of the visit compared to the KSh 200 million cost.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura clarified that the United States of America did not cover the expenses of President Ruto’s journey.
Ruto’s visit to the US is aimed at attracting significant investment opportunities to Kenya, with plans to present over 30 business proposals to potential investors.
Mwaura reiterated the anticipated economic advantages of the visit, asserting that they far outweigh the associated costs.
Despite accusations from Kenyan citizens, the US government denied any involvement in sponsoring Ruto’s flight to the States.
What to know about Royal Jet Ruto hired
The Royal Jet chartered by Ruto, a Boeing 737-700, is among the latest acquisitions in the Royal Jet fleet, having been delivered from the factory in 2017.
Firstpost TV raised concerns about the lavishness of Ruto’s chosen mode of transportation and questioned the necessity of a 30-person delegation, including a comedian, funded by taxpayer money.
Owners of Royal Jet VIP Plane William Ruto Hired for US State Visit
