Since taking office, President William Ruto has embarked on numerous trips over the past 19 months, which has become a talking point among Kenyans amid the economic crisis in the country.
From his maiden trip to the United Kingdom to attend the burial of Queen Elizabeth II to various trips to the United States of America (USA), Germany, France, Brazil and Japan, the list has been long.
This year alone, the president has crossed borders six times, including a trip to Italy to attend the Italy-Africa Summit on January 28, 2024, as well as another trip to Ethiopia for the African Union Summit.
According to a spot-check by Kenyans.co.ke, the head of state has made a total of 40 trips. For an extensive analysis take a look at the graphics below.
Flights Taken by Ruto Since He Took Office
Tracking All Official and State Visits
The president's busiest month was May 2023, during which he travelled to four countries; United Kingdom, Netherlands, Israel and South Africa.
Kenyans.co.ke will be looking at the trips based on three factors; places travelled, cost implications and outcome of the trips.
By The Numbers
The president's travel expenditure encompasses the recurrent cost incurred by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). This covers factors such as salaries, travel, accommodation and maintenance that are included in the reports.
According to the National Government Budget Implementation Review Report for the Financial Year 2022/23, the Office of the President spent over Ksh1.4 billion on travel.
The report covered the period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
Of the total amount, Ksh1 billion was allocated to domestic travel and Ksh361 million was reserved for foreign travel.
In contrast, the figure represented an increase of over 30 per cent as opposed to the Ksh957 million allocated during the 2021/22 Financial Year.
Further, a spot check on the National Government Budget Implementation Review Report for the first six months of the Financial Year 2023/24, showed that the figure was drastically reduced to Ksh21.24 million for domestic travel and Ksh12.21 million for foreign travel.
The report covered the period from July 1 2023 to December 31, 2023.
It is important to note that during the same period, the Office of the Deputy President was allocated Ksh184.81 million for domestic travel and Ksh111.38 million for foreign travel, raising questions about the expenditure by the incumbent government at a time when the country's economy is not yet out of the woods.
Uhuru Kenyatta's expenditure for travel
A review of the financial years between 2013/2014 and 2022/2023
Comparison
In contrast, former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration gobbled up a budget of Ksh6.7 billion for both local and foreign travel during his two terms.
Out of this amount, Ksh1.66 billion was allocated for foreign travel while Ksh5.79 billion was channelled towards domestic travel.
Promises Made
Critics have since raised concerns over the significance of the trips made by the head of state.
In a rejoinder in December 2023, Ruto claimed that he could account for every shilling he has used on foreign travel since he took over office. He noted that his mission was to salvage Kenya from plunging into debt distress as well as seeking job opportunities abroad for Kenyans.
1 Million Foreign Jobs
President Ruto reaffirmed that several international countries agreed to grant Kenyans one million jobs abroad. The countries in question include; Germany, Barbados, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
In February 2024, the first batch of 500 Kenyan workers were exported to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Germany, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Business Investment
The head of state has also wooed foreigners to invest in the country's manufacturing, agriculture and technology sectors to realise the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He has also urged investors to explore the green energy sector, citing Kenya as possessing the largest energy reserves in solar, wind and geothermal.
Tax Reforms; Conducive Environment
In creating a win-win situation for the investors, Ruto also promised to review the tax reforms to create a conducive environment. In particular, he noted that a predictable tax regime attracts private sector players who prefer a stable environment to invest in.
