Azimio leader Raila Odinga slammed President William Ruto over the series of foreign trips in his first month in office.
Speaking while addressing a roadside rally in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 12, Raila stated that the government spent over Ksh200 million on Ruto’s maiden trips to the United Kingdom and the United States of America (USA).
The former Prime Minister further questioned the source of the funding for the foreign trips amid claims from the new administration that the treasury’s coffers were empty.
“They said that the government was bankrupt yet the same month they travelled to Europe and the United States which cost over Ksh200 million. Where did the money come from?” The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader posed.
The President has toured five countries since his inauguration as the president. His first trip came barely a week after his swearing-in when he jetted out to London in the United Kingdom to attend the late Queen Elizabeth's funeral on September 18.
Ruto then proceeded to New York in the United States where he attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
On October 6, the Head of State left for Ethiopia for his maiden official visit in Africa. The visit also featured bilateral talks between him and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
A day after jetting back from Ethiopia, the president left the country yet again, this time to honour an invitation from Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni as the East African neighbours marked their 60th year since attaining independence.
Thereafter, Ruto proceeded to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania where he held bilateral talks with President Samia Suluhu.
Notably, the delegation that the president has travelled with to various the destinations has been a subject of debate.
In his first trip to the UK and the US, Ruto travelled alongside the First Lady Rachel Ruto, Kiharu legislator Ndindi Nyoro, Cabinet Secretary-designate for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Alfred Mutua, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Sports, Culture CS nominee Ababu Namwamba and Kenya Kwanza's advisor on economic affairs David Ndii.
In his trip to Ethiopia, Ruto was accompanied by Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale and CS nominee for the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Davis Chirchir.
The trip to Uganda sparked debate as the different quarters questioned why the president tagged his daughter and son-in-law in the trip.
Raila has since maintained that he is ready to keep the government in check.
