Kenya’s official presidential jet, Harambee One, is in the Netherlands for its final round of maintenance before being permanently retired and replaced with a newer model.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya confirmed that the aircraft will remain at Fokker Services Group warehouses for a year. The company, which manufactures its spare parts, is overseeing the process.

With Harambee One undergoing maintenance, President William Ruto has been relying on alternative travel arrangements. These include VIP aircraft from the Kenya Air Force, Kenya Airways commercial flights, and at times, chartered private jets, such as during his recent trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

CS Tuya explained that the procurement of a new presidential jet is underway, but the process could take up to two years.

Harambee One, which has served Kenya for nearly three decades, has flown all presidents since the Moi era. However, the aircraft is approaching the end of its approved operational lifespan.

According to Fokker, spare parts for the aging jet will soon be unavailable, making future repairs unsustainable.

Kenya Defence Forces aviation experts revealed that the jet has increasingly suffered from mechanical challenges, sometimes disrupting presidential travel and raising safety concerns. Despite the extensive efforts of Air Force engineers, experts note that acquiring a new jet is now unavoidable.

They added that even after Harambee One returns to Kenya in 2026, President Ruto may still occasionally rely on commercial or chartered flights until a replacement is fully procured and commissioned.

For more government and transport updates, check out Kenya Defence Ministry and stay tuned to Sauce.co.ke News.