Sky King: President Ruto’s 66 Trips in 2 Years
President William Ruto is concluding his two-day visit to Germany, where he aims to secure multiple job-related agreements, including a significant migration and mobility deal.
This marks Ruto’s 66th foreign trip in just two years of his presidency, a figure double that of former President Mwai Kibaki, who made fewer trips in his entire 10-year term.
Ruto, known for his frequent travels, has earned the nickname “the flying president,” solidifying his reputation as Kenya’s most traveled head of state.
In just two years, Ruto has completed 66 foreign trips, averaging about three per month. His latest journey to Germany adds to his rapidly growing list of international visits.
During his time in Berlin, Ruto participated in the signing of key agreements, including the Kenya-Germany Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership, and attended the annual Citizens Festival.
“We are the gateway to Africa,” Ruto stated, highlighting Kenya’s position in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area as he signed another mobility deal between the two nations.
Though Ruto’s extensive travels have sparked taxpayer frustration, his May 2024 State visit to the United States grabbed headlines for its luxury, not just for its diplomatic purpose.
Ruto, who campaigned as the “Chief Hustler,” arrived at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport aboard a chartered Boeing Business Jet, which is typically rented at a cost exceeding Ksh.200 million.
A price quote from Royal Jet, a private airline based in Abu Dhabi, revealed that a one-way trip from Nairobi to Atlanta could reach nearly Ksh.98 million.
Public criticism ensued, especially given Ruto’s calls for fiscal responsibility. He defended the decision, arguing that using Kenya Airways would have been even more expensive, later adding that his UAE friends covered the costs.
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On May 30, 2024, Ruto clarified: “I would never spend Ksh.200 million. The trip cost Kenya less than Ksh.10 million.”
Efforts to verify this claim have failed and many Kenyans criticized Ruto for preaching austerity while leading a lavish lifestyle.
On April 7, 2024, Ruto remarked: “We must face reality; the time has come to live within our means.”
Ruto’s international trips decreased during the Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill of 2024, with only one visit to Rwanda in two months, breaking a 58-day travel hiatus.
His latest visit was a week-long trip to China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit.
Compared to previous presidents, Ruto’s travel schedule is unmatched. Former President Mwai Kibaki made 33 trips in his 10-year term, while Ruto has already doubled that. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta made 151 trips in 10 years, with Ruto nearing that number in just two years.
If Ruto maintains his current pace, he could make 180 trips by the end of his five-year term, which may have a significant financial impact on Kenyan taxpayers.
Despite the concerns, Ruto insists that the advantages of his foreign trips far surpass their costs.
Sky King: President Ruto’s 66 Trips in 2 Years
