November 2, 2024
a pile of money stacked on top of each other

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The President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr William Ruto and the first lady, Rachael Ruto are in the US for an official visit, where he is expected to hold discussions with President Biden on how to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries. The areas of interest include people-to-people ties, trade and investment, technological innovation, climate and clean energy, health, and security. The president who calls himself, “the chief hustler” did not use the normal presidential jet, but rather opted for a chartered plane, a Boeing 737-700 business jet. The jet is operated by the Abu Dhabi-based business group, Royal Jet Group.

The aircraft which has an executive bedroom is estimated to cost 2 million shillings an hour, bringing the total cost to 98 million Kenya shillings. This means the total cost spent by the government is about 200 million. Unlike the Boeing 737-700 business jet, the presidential jet usually used by the head of state can only fly for 5 hours. This extravagant spending comes at a time when the government seeks to reduce its expenditure through austerity measures. There are proposals for merging several parastatals as the government seeks to reduce its expenditure. But what is coming out is that the money being saved is not being saved at all. The austerity measures being implemented mean nothing if such extravagant spending is going on in the government.

What Can 200 Million Kenya Shillings Do

In this section we will have a look at what 200 million shillings can do.

Completion of 30 Health Facilities

In July 2023, Kenya News Agency reported that 200 million shillings were required to complete a stalled health facility in Muranga County. According to the County administration, a total of 30 health facilities were scheduled for completion. 

Mbari Dispensary_Muranga County Kenya

Construction of 254 Classrooms

Before August 2022, the construction of a classroom cost the tax payer approximately 1.2 million Kenya shillings. According to the Star newspaper, this value was reviewed downwards by the former CS for Education Prof. Magoha to Kes. 788, 000. So with 200 million shillings, the government could construct 254 classrooms.

Fund More than 314 Farmers Groups

The County government of Kirinyaga disbursed 117 million Kenya shillings to various farmers groups. The groups comprised of Avocado, poultry, dairy, tomato, pig, beekeeping, incubators, fish, vulnerable and marginalized farmers groups. According to the County, poultry farmers 22.5 million whereas tomato growing groups received 30 million shillings.

Improve Road Network Across 25 Wards in Trans Nzoia County

Kenya News Agency reports that Trans Nzoia County has set aside 90 million shillings to improve more than 800 kilometres of its road network. That means, with 200 million shillings, the County can carry out this activity twice. 

Author

  • Michelle

    Michelle holds a diploma in Journalism and works as a freelance article writer, with a writing style that is characterized by clarity, depth, and ability to distill complex ideas into accessible pieces. She specialises in current events, politics, lifestyle, adventure, and research.

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