Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura has dismissed queries on the cost of President William Ruto’s maiden state visit to the US.
The question was raised during an interaction with students at the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology on Tuesday where he had paid a courtesy call to the institution’s principal.
He was accompanied by his deputies Gabriel Muthuma and Mwanaisha Chidzuga.
Mwaura said those interested in knowing the cost of the president’s trip are missing the bigger picture of the benefits the visit is likely to bring Kenya, travel costs notwithstanding.
“Even pyrethrum, it’s on high demand in America so it’s you farmers he has gone to look a market for you,” Mwaura, who addressed the gathering exclusively in Swahili, said.
“The President has gone as the elder of the Kenyan community and you are asking what the cost of fare is yet he will come back with more than that fare in millions.”
Mwaura said those harbouring such questions are unpatriotic and do not love their country.
The spokesperson said besides the economic gains Kenya stands to gain from Ruto’s US trip, it’s an honour to the country considering he is the first African president to be invited for a state visit by the leader of the superpower in 16 years.
Ruto is in the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden, the first such visit by an African head of state in 16 years.
Until then, John Kuffour, the former president of Ghana, was the last African president to be hosted at the White House by the 43rd president of the US, George Bush in 2008.
Mwai Kibaki, Kenya’s third president had also been in the US on a state visit in October 2003 on the invitation of Bush.
A state visit is considered the highest expression of friendly bilateral relations between the country of a visiting president and the host president’s homeland.
Ruto and his entourage arrived in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday morning US time and visited the Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
