Ruto flies commercial to Korea-Africa Summit after controversy over US state visit

For his trip to South Korea on Sunday, President William Ruto opted for commercial travel following the uproar over the luxurious and expensive private jet he used for his state visit to the US.

Ruto boarded an Emirates flight from Nairobi to Dubai, en route to Seoul, for the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit. Accompanying him was African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina, who was in Nairobi for the AfDB Annual Meetings, which took place last week.

It appears the State House was keen to avoid another controversy over extravagant trips by the president.

The official state coverage bidding farewell to President Ruto at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi notably omitted any images of the aircraft he boarded.

On Monday, the State House shared pictures on its X page, reporting that Ruto had arrived in Seoul for the summit that will begin on Tuesday.

"The summit aims to build strong relations between South Korea and Africa, leveraging each other's strengths to foster mutual growth, tackle global challenges, and reinforce solidarity for peace and security. The President will also hold bilateral talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol aimed at escalating areas of cooperation," the post stated.

The Kenyan leader was received by Kang Seok-hee, the former Korean Ambassador to the Seychelles and the current State Representative for Reconstruction Efforts in Ukraine, as well as the Kenyan Ambassador to South Korea, Emmy Kipsoi.

President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto are pictured with Ambassadors Kang Seok-hee and Emmy Kipsoi in Seoul, South Korea, on June 3, 2024, following their arrival for the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit. (Photo: PCS)

Ruto defended the cost of the US trip, insisting that taxpayers only footed a modest sum of Sh10 million for the jet hire, rather than the previously reported figures of Sh200 million.

"I am a very responsible steward, believe you me. There is no way I can spend Sh200 million. It cost the Republic of Kenya less than Sh10 million. I am not a madman. When I was told the cheapest plane was Sh70 million, I told my office to go and book Kenya Airways," he explained last Thursday morning at the National Prayer Breakfast at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.

"Some friends asked me how much I wanted to pay. I said I wasn't ready to pay more than Sh10 million. They told me to bring the money, and they gave me the plane."

Ruto is attending the Korea-Africa Summit despite a previous vow not to, if they are hosted by single countries inviting all African heads of state over their ineffectiveness in addressing the needs of African states.

"We have made the decision that it is not intelligent for 54 of us to go and sit before one gentleman from another place [sic]," the Kenyan president said during an event hosted by British businessman Mo Ibrahim in April 2023.

"We are loaded onto buses like school kids. It is not right," Ruto said at the time, and urged African presidents to send representatives when invited to events in Western countries.

"The decision we have made as the AU is that going forward, if there is going to be a discussion between Africa and any other country, we will send the chair of the African Union Commission and the bureau. That is the position I am taking as the President of Kenya," he stated.

Shortly after declaring his intention, President Ruto skipped the Russia-Africa summit, represented by the African Union.

His decision to attend the Italy-Africa summit in January of this year sparked online speculation among Kenyans, who said he was speaking out of both sides of his mouth.