Details of Upgrades Presidential Jet Has Undergone After Year-Long Overhaul

Details of Upgrades Presidential Jet Has Undergone After Year-Long Overhaul

Kenya’s presidential aircraft, the Kenya Air Force Fokker 70 KAF308, popularly known as Harambee One, has returned to the country after undergoing a year-long maintenance and upgrade programme in the Netherlands.

The aircraft was flown to the Netherlands in August 2025 for extensive work by Fokker Services Group. The programme went beyond routine maintenance and included deep technical checks, interior refurbishment and upgrades to key onboard systems.

The return of Harambee One marks the end of a lengthy overhaul that kept Kenya’s dedicated presidential aircraft out of service for much of the past year.

Harambee One Gets High-Speed Internet

One of the major upgrades to the presidential jet is the installation of the Gogo Galileo FDX satellite communication system supplied by GoGo Business Aviation.

The system uses Eutelsat OneWeb’s low Earth orbit satellite network to provide high-speed internet connectivity while the aircraft is in flight.

The technology can deliver download speeds of up to 195 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 32 Mbps.

It also uses a full-duplex electronically steered antenna designed to maintain satellite connectivity as the aircraft travels.

The upgrade is expected to improve communication capabilities during presidential travel, particularly when the Head of State and his delegation are required to remain connected while airborne.

The satellite system represents a significant technological improvement over conventional aircraft communication systems.

Presidential Jet Receives Interior Refurbishment

Harambee One also underwent extensive interior refurbishment during the overhaul.

The work was carried out alongside deep maintenance and other systems upgrades intended to keep the aircraft suitable for continued presidential and VIP operations.

Although the Fokker 70 was originally designed to carry about 70 passengers, Kenya’s aircraft has been configured specifically for presidential duties.

Its current configuration has 26 seats, giving passengers more space and allowing the aircraft to operate in a VIP setting.

The configuration is designed to support official travel rather than the high passenger capacity associated with commercial airline operations.

Aircraft Has Served Four Presidents

Harambee One has a long history in Kenya’s presidential fleet.

Kenya acquired the Fokker 70 in 1995, meaning the aircraft has now served the country for more than three decades.]

During that period, it has been used by four Kenyan presidents: Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and the current President, William Ruto.

Its continued operation after more than 30 years highlights the importance of extensive maintenance and periodic upgrades to maintain the aircraft’s operational capabilities.

The latest overhaul was therefore intended not only to improve passenger comfort and communication but also to support the aircraft’s continued service.

Ruto Used Alternative Aircraft During Overhaul

The year-long maintenance programme meant Kenya was without its dedicated presidential aircraft for a significant period.

During that time, President Ruto used alternative aircraft for some official domestic and international engagements.

The use of chartered aircraft attracted public attention, particularly over the costs associated with presidential travel.

The return of Harambee One is expected to reduce the government’s immediate reliance on chartered aircraft for presidential trips.

However, the aircraft has not yet resumed regular presidential operations since returning to Kenya.

Its future use will depend on the completion of the necessary operational procedures following the overhaul.

The upgrades have given Kenya’s long-serving presidential aircraft enhanced communication technology, a refurbished interior and renewed systems designed to support continued VIP operations.

After more than a year away, Harambee One is now back in Kenya, ready to return to the presidential travel schedule once cleared for service.

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Details of Upgrades Presidential Jet Has Undergone After Year-Long Overhaul