Kenyan President William Ruto says the cost of hiring a private jet for his state visit to the U.S. last week was $76,000 as opposed to the $1.2 million reported by Kenyan media outlets.

Ruto rejected claims that the trip cost $1.5 million, calling them exaggerated.

Kenya’s President William Ruto has said that the private plane he used to fly to the US last week only cost about 10m shillings [$73,000; £60,000], following criticism that he was being extravagant. He said “some friends” of the country offered it at that price when he had opted to use the national airline to save money.

President William Ruto has clarified that he spent Ksh 10million in his travel to United States (US) for a state visit. While Speaking during the National Breakfast Meeting at Safari Park, Nairobi, Ruto said he is a very responsible steward and could not spend the alleged Ksh200 million- taxpayer’s money on travelling.