By KEVIN KELLY and WALTER MENYA
US Vice-President Joe Biden’s visit in Kenya is expected to cost American taxpayers at least US $ 2 million or Sh 160 million according to estimates of what his entourage entails.
The Sh 160 million covers costs for security, meals, lodging and other expenses.
Vice President Joe Biden typically travels on a Boeing 757/C-32A aircraft designated as Air Force Two. (The president flies in Air Force One)
Estimated operating costs for Air Force One are about $60,000 an hour Sh 4.8 million. We don’t have specific figure for Air Force Two, but it’s probably roughly similar. That means it would cost more than $1 million Sh 80 million just to transport Mr Biden and his retinue roundtrip Washington-Nairobi if he were flying only.
However, before coming to Kenya, Mr Biden had a stopover in Egypt and he is scheduled to go to South Africa from Kenya.
Air Force Two is as well outfitted as Air Force One. Facilities include a full stateroom as well as areas for briefings and dining. But Air Force Two is not exclusively the vice president’s plane; it’s shared, as needed, with members of the president’s cabinet.
