Ruto sticks to chartered planes as presidential jet remains grounded in Netherlands
President William Ruto travelled to South Africa aboard a chartered Boeing 737-800 BBJ2 operated by UAE-based Empire Aviation as Kenya's ageing presidential jet remains grounded in the Netherlands for maintenance...
✨ Key Highlights
President William Ruto recently traveled to South Africa aboard a privately chartered Boeing 737-800, highlighting Kenya's ongoing reliance on leased aircraft as its official presidential jet remains grounded.
- The Kenya Air Force's Fokker 70 presidential jet has been in the Netherlands since August 2025 and is nearing the end of its operational lifespan.
- President Ruto has previously faced scrutiny for using chartered aircraft for foreign trips, including a flight to the United States.
- The government has not yet announced plans for replacing or repairing the ageing presidential fleet, leaving the future of official air travel uncertain.
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Ruto begins South Africa State Visit - June 2026
President William Ruto has commenced a two-day State Visit to South Africa, aiming to deepen the existing strategic partnership between the two nations. He arrived at Waterkloof Air Force Base for a three-day visit to bolster diplomatic and economic ties. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the strong, complementary relationship between Kenya and South Africa, dismissing any notions of rivalry during a joint press briefing in Pretoria. However, the trip highlighted Kenya's ongoing reliance on leased aircraft as its official presidential jet remains grounded in the Netherlands, with Ruto traveling aboard a privately chartered Boeing 737-800.
