Kenya’s Presidential Jet to Be Retired in 2026 After Final Maintenance in the Netherlands

Kenya’s presidential aircraft, Harambee One, is undergoing its final round of maintenance in the Netherlands and is expected to return in 2026 for limited service before being retired.

The 30-year-old Fokker 70 Extended Range jet, acquired in 1996, has served four Heads of State but is now considered increasingly unreliable. Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya confirmed that the aircraft is at Fokker Services Group facilities, where it will remain for a full year. The manufacturer has advised that further upkeep is no longer viable due to high maintenance costs and the growing scarcity of spare parts.

Defence officials have acknowledged repeated mechanical issues with the aircraft, some of which have disrupted presidential travel and raised safety concerns. A senior aviation expert from the Kenya Defence Forces, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the jet’s deteriorating condition has led to the frequent use of alternatives such as Kenya Air Force VIP planes, commercial carriers, and privately chartered aircraft.

These temporary solutions are proving increasingly unsustainable. While discussions are underway regarding a replacement, no formal procurement plan has been announced. Ms Tuya noted that any decision will depend on available funding and other national priorities, though the government has not ruled out acquiring a new jet within the next two years.

Concerns about the aircraft’s reliability were highlighted earlier this year when Harambee One failed to depart for the East and Southern African joint summit in Dar es Salaam due to mechanical failure. President William Ruto, who co-chaired the meeting, was delayed, while other Heads of State departed as scheduled.

The use of private jets for international engagements has also raised questions.

During President Ruto’s 2024 trip to Washington, the use of a jet reportedly funded by external partners prompted debate over transparency and cost. State House later stated that the aircraft had been provided by the United Arab Emirates government. Harambee One has been a key part of Kenya’s executive transport fleet for nearly three decades, serving Presidents Moi, Kibaki, Kenyatta, and Ruto.