In a recent Twitter statement, President William Ruto has sparked widespread public backlash following his remarks on his mode of transport for the State Visit to the USA.
The President tweeted, “Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to the USA. As a responsible steward of public resources and in keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on KQ.”
This statement drew controversy from the clear contradiction of what he said and what is actually true.
The controversy is fueled by the apparent contradiction between the President’s statement and the extravagant lifestyle displayed by his own government officials and including him the president.
Several high-ranking officials were spotted with luxury items that have raised eyebrows among the Kenyan populace. Among them:
- Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was seen wearing sunglasses worth KSh80,000. He was also spotted writing with a pen valued at KSh150,000
- President William Ruto himself was photographed wearing a rose gold Bvlgari watch, priced at approximately KSh8.7 million
- Murkomen was also spotted wearing Murkomen wearing a Gucci sneakers worth $920
In response to the backlash, the government has remained completely silent, with no official statement addressing the specific criticisms regarding the luxury items.
The scenario has even sparked memes from twitter users mimicking the government for using Foreign products and services because the Kenyan ones are expensive.
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