This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Published on October 30, 2019, State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita has downplayed emerging concerns over President Uhuru Kenyatta's numerous foreign trips despite the country's financial struggle.
According to Waita, foreign travel is a crucial aspect of the President's job, aimed at positioning Kenya as a force for good and a thought leader in the international community.
Waita made the remarks in a tweet, stating, 'One of President Kenyatta's duties as Head of State is to position Kenya as a force for good and a thought leader in the community of Nations. A duty he has discharged extremely effectively. Foreign travel to advance Kenya's agenda and sphere of influence is simply part of the job.'
Waita's comments come as President Kenyatta has made 31 foreign trips over the last 21 months, sparking questions about the value for money.
President Kenyatta and his entourage have recently traveled to Tokyo, Japan, and Sochi, Russia, on a luxury private jet, and are expected to visit Botswana after attending the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the criticism, the government remains adamant that the trips are beneficial to the country.
