Deputy president William Samoei Ruto has once again dealt a huge blow to the poor taxpayers who are already grappling with high cost of living laced with hashtags of #Lowerfoodprices.
According to the daily Nation, Deputy president William Ruto’s 14 day tour of the United States, United Kingdom and Qatar will cost about 107 million Kenya shillings with 15 million being paid by parliament.
Apparently, William Ruto was accompanied by 31 individuals amongst them his wife Rachael Ruto the Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Kirinyaga governor Anne waiguru, Turkana governor Josephat Nanok, Nakuru senator Susan Kihika, Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Kwale senator Salim Mvurya.
On the side of the members of parliaments, William Ruto was accompanied by Kandara MP Alice Wahome, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa, garissa Town MP Aden Duale, Soipan Tuya (narok county) and Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga county). To further add salt to the taxpayers’ injury, these leaders have been accompanied by 17 aides.
Nation reports that the funds will cater for air tickets, hotel accommodation and daily allowances.
As per Nation’s calculations, about 9.7 million will go to air tickets for one-way flights from Nairobi to Washington DC. Each of the members of the delegation will have spent 313,323 if they use business class tickets.Â
The hustler nation leaders will be in the United States for six days and the hotel accommodation alone is expected to cost to the tune of 8.28 million Kenya shillings. According to approximation, the US hotels they will spend in cost 44,555 shillings per night. That amount excludes fees and taxes.
Assuming they apply the 2014 Salaries and remuneration circular on the allowance of the public service, their daily allowances will cost Kenyan taxpayers 7.2 million shillings.
“The highest daily allowance for a US trip is $724, which means about 14 high ranking officials will receive sh 1.2 million for the six days. The others are entitled to a daily allowance of about $527, which translates to about 6 million Kenya shillings. All calculations are based on the dollar exchanging at sh113.8 as of March 1.” Reported Daily Nation.
In total, the USA trip alone between February 27th to March 25th will cost poor taxpayers 31.18 million Kenya shillings.
The leaders will then proceed with their journey to the United Kingdom (UK). Air ticket alone will consume 30.82 million Kenya shillings since Washington to London on a business class ticket costs upto 994,187 shillings. Average room in UK goes for 34752 shillings to mean that our beloved leaders will part with 4.3 million on hotel accommodation.
“High ranking officials are entitled to a daily allowance of $848 daily while the others will pocket $578, bringing the total to 10 million.” Added Nation.
Ruto’s delegation will then head to Doha in Qatar where they will equally spend millions of taxpayers money before coming back to the country and continuing with their bottom up campaigns.
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