State House Defends President Uhuru's Frequent Trips Abroad, Totaling 31 in 21 Months

State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita has defended President Kenyatta’s numerous trips abroad.

On Wednesday through Twitter, Waita downplayed concerns over Kenyatta's frequent foreign trips despite the country’s financial shortage.

He said the international trips are part and parcel of the president’s job, pointing out that they are aimed at advancing Kenya’s "agenda and sphere of influence."

“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,” wrote Waita.

He added: “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 tweeted following Wednesday’s report by The Star claiming that Kenyatta has made 31 foreign trips over the last 21 months. 

There have been questions over whether there has been a value for money for these trips but the government has insisted they are beneficial to the country.

Last weekend, Kenyatta returned from a trip to Tokyo, Japan, and Sochi, Russia in a luxury private jet before leaving the country on Monday for Saudi Arabia to attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference. He is also expected to visit Botswana after this.