President William Ruto has come out to defend his foreign trips amid criticism from Kenyans and leaders.
Speaking at State House during a joint press interview, the President said that despite his many travels he can account for every shilling.
The President said that through his foreign travels, Kenya has benefited from the bilateral deals that have revived stalled projects and given Kenyans jobs.
Ruto admitted that he has travelled more than his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta and affirmed that it is because of that the country is now stable.
"We have cut by 50 per cent travel and entertainment budget. The figures are on the supplementary budget. That is Sh11 billion saved. Yes, I have travelled more than Uhuru but not as a tourist. I have travelled to sort out the matters of Kenya," he said.
"Would you rather I sit in Nairobi and Kenya go down or travel and make sure that we have road and other development projects back on course? Bilateral opportunities have helped Kenyans work abroad. I can account for every shilling spent on my travel."
President Ruto is said to have made about 48 foreign trips over the last 15 months.
An analysis of Controller of Budget reports, since Ruto ascended to power in September last year, shows that the presidency has spent Sh357 million on foreign travel alone.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga and other action groups castigated Ruto's foreign missions, questioning the value for money in the multimillion-shilling trips.
His travel saw Raila describe the head of state as “a globetrotting leader” burning away taxpayers' money at a time when the masses are weighed down by a tough economy.
“It is the responsibility of the government to create jobs in the country, not to look for jobs outside,” Raila said at the Catholic University recently.
