President William Ruto of Kenya and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria have faced criticism for their frequent foreign trips, leading to them being labeled as the “flying president” and “tourist-in-chief” respectively. Critics argue that the costs associated with these trips are not justified given the tough economic conditions in their respective countries.
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President William Ruto has made approximately 50 journeys abroad since assuming office in 2022, averaging more than three trips per month. In comparison, his predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta, went on only one foreign trip per month during his time in office. President Ruto’s trips have taken him to various African countries, Europe, and the United States for global events and bilateral meetings.
President Bola Tinubu has made 14 trips in the eight months since his inauguration, averaging about two trips per month. His trips have included visits to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Critics argue that these trips are excessive and question their necessity, especially considering the economic challenges faced by Nigeria.
While it is important for presidents to attend heads-of-state meetings and build foreign relations for diplomatic and economic reasons, some argue that the frequency and cost of these trips are excessive and not in line with the economic realities of their countries. Critics have pointed out that other world leaders have reduced their air travels, and some have even suspended international travel for themselves and their ministers due to economic challenges.