The private aircraft owners lobby group said the number of aircraft registered in 2021 was 47, out of which 41 were choppers mainly registered by politicians, The demand for choppers in Kenya has increased from 26 registered in 2020 to 41 acquired in 2021, according to data from the Aero Club of East Africa (ACEA)….
Data from Aero Club of East Africa (ACEA) showed that 47 aircraft were acquired in Kenya, out of which 41 were choppers, Kenya imports aircraft from Europe, Asia and South Africa where politicians get the option of renting for the purpose of campaigning. According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), most helicopters used in Kenya come from South Africa.
The cost of hiring a chopper ranges from KSh 164,745 to KSh 220,000 per hour for a 3 pax helicopter and it could even go higher for bigger choppers. To purchase a chopper, one will require about KSh 200 million, plus local registration charges.
Led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, the leaders own expensive choppers, that go for KSh 205 million or KSh 350 million if locally assembled. Uhuru owns Eurocopter AS350B3e, 5Y JNM and 5Y NMJ which are operated by Flex Aviation. Ruto who expressed interest in the country’s top seat owns Eurocopter AS350B3e, 5Y DSM, 5Y DSN, Eurocopter EC130B4 and 5Y DSC models.
