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President William Ruto has once again used a privately chartered aircraft for an official foreign trip, highlighting Kenya’s ongoing reliance on leased executive jets while the country’s presidential aircraft remains out of service.
Ruto arrived in Pretoria on Wednesday evening aboard a Boeing 737-800 BBJ2, a luxury business jet operated by Dubai-based Empire Aviation Group. The aircraft, registered T7-BBJ2, is commonly used for high-level government and executive travel due to its extended range and premium cabin configuration.
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The President, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto, landed at Waterkloof Air Force Base for a state visit hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The visit focuses on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and diplomatic relations between Kenya and South Africa.
The continued use of chartered aircraft comes as Kenya’s official presidential jet, a Fokker 70 acquired in 1995 and operated by the Kenya Air Force, remains grounded in the Netherlands since August 2025 for maintenance and technical evaluation.
Aviation experts note that the aircraft is approaching the end of its operational lifespan, while sourcing spare parts has become increasingly difficult following the collapse of its manufacturer, Fokker, in the 1990s.
The prolonged absence of the state aircraft has intensified public debate over whether Kenya should procure a replacement or continue relying on chartered flights for presidential travel. However, no official decision has been announced by State House or the Ministry of Defence.
This is not the first time the President has used a chartered jet for foreign travel. In previous international trips, including visits to the United States and parts of Asia, similar arrangements were used, sparking public discussion over costs and transparency.
Ruto’s current visit to South Africa is expected to run until June 5, featuring bilateral talks, a business forum, and the signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries.
