Kenya’s government has defended the cost of President William Ruto’s trip to the US.

The price of hiring the luxury private jet in which he and his delegation travelled is estimated to be $1.5m (£1.2m), according to Kenya’s private KTN TV station.

“The benefits from this visit far outweigh such a million times,” government spokesman Isaac Mwaura told the BBC, without confirming the cost.

More than 30 people, including a popular comedian, are reported to be accompanying the president, who landed in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday.

Mr Ruto is on a four-day visit at the invitation of his US counterpart Joe Biden. It is the first state visit by a Kenyan president to the US in two decades and the first by an African leader in 16 years.

He is set to hold talks with Mr Biden on Thursday, focusing on trade and security partnerships, including Kenya’s pledge to lead a multi-national mission to restore order in Haiti.

Source:BBC