During his landmark state visit to the United States, President William Ruto made a departure from his usual mode of travel, opting for a Boeing Business Jet chartered by the Royal Jet Group, a prestigious private aviation company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
In contrast to Kenya’s presidential jet, the ‘Harambee One’ Fokker 70 ER, which accommodates 26 passengers and has a nonstop flight duration of 5 hours, the chartered Boeing 737-77W BBJ boasts a capacity of 34 passengers and can cruise nonstop for at least 10 hours. The opulence of the Boeing jet comes at a premium, with a one-way trip between Nairobi and the U.S. costing approximately $748,600, equivalent to roughly KSh98 million.
Factoring in the return trip, along with additional expenses such as waiting and parking costs, estimated at a minimum of KSh2 million per hour, the total travel expenses for President Ruto’s trip are estimated to soar to at least KSh250 million.
The journey commenced from Abu Dhabi, with the jet departing on Saturday morning and making a stopover in Nairobi, where it waited for President Ruto’s departure on Sunday night.
The flight then proceeded with a stopover in Spain before completing the final leg to Atlanta, with each leg of the journey spanning approximately 8 hours.
Manned by a crew of five members, the Boeing jet is equipped with three sections for passengers, including VIP, Business, and Standard, boasting lavish amenities such as an executive bedroom and luxury dining facilities.
