Kenya’s Fokker 70-ER Presidential Jet “Harambee 1” Set for Retirement Amid Rising Costs
Kenya’s presidential jet, Harambee 1, is set to retire after undergoing what is expected to be its final round of maintenance in the Netherlands.
The Fokker 70 Extended Range (ER) aircraft, which has served successive Kenyan presidents for more than two decades, is being phased out due to mounting operational challenges. Sources familiar with the matter cite high maintenance costs, scarcity of spare parts, and persistent hydraulic system leaks as the key reasons for the decision.
Harambee 1, registered as 5Y-FLA, was acquired in the mid-1990s and has since been used for official travel by Presidents Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and now William Ruto. Its relatively modest size, compared to other African presidential jets, has long been defended as a cost-conscious choice.
With the aircraft’s retirement imminent, speculation is mounting over its replacement. Government insiders suggest that discussions are underway on acquiring a newer, more reliable jet, though no official announcement has been made. The prospect of purchasing a new presidential aircraft is expected to spark resistance from Kenyans, who may view it as an unnecessary luxury at a time of economic strain and austerity measures.
The retirement of Harambee 1 will mark the end of an era for Kenya’s presidency, closing a chapter on one of the few presidential aircraft in Africa known for its practicality rather than extravagance.
