HARAMBEE ONE: Details On Upgraded Kenya’s Presidential Jet After Year-Long Overhaul
Kenya’s presidential aircraft, the Kenya Air Force Fokker 70 KAF308, also known as the Harambee One, has returned to the country after undergoing a year-long maintenance and upgrade program in the Netherlands.
The aircraft was taken to the Netherlands in August 2025 for a major overhaul conducted by Fokker Services Group.
The service work was mean to go beyond routine servicing to include deep maintenance, interior refurbishment, and upgrades to its onboard systems.
One of the most notable improvements to Harambee One is the installation of the Gogo Galileo FDX satellite communications 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 airborne.
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, allowing the aircraft to maintain satellite connectivity during flight.
In addition to the communication system, the Fokker 70 underwent an interior refurbishment.
The interior works were undertaken alongside broader systems upgrades and deep maintenance to keep the aircraft fit for continued operations.
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Although the aircraft was originally designed to carry about 70 passengers, it was subsequently configured for presidential and VIP duties with 26 seats, providing more space and greater range for official travel.
The upgrades come as the aircraft enters another phase of its long service history, having been acquired by Kenya in 1995.
The aircraft has served Kenya’s presidents for over 30 years and has carried four presidents: Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and President William Ruto.
The prolonged maintenance period left Kenya without its dedicated presidential aircraft for much of the past year.
During this period, President William Ruto relied on alternative aircraft for some official engagements, which were under public scrutiny over their high hiring and maintenance costs.
Although the aircraft has not flown since its return, Harambee One is expected to reduce Kenya’s immediate reliance on chartered aircraft for presidential travel.
HARAMBEE ONE: Details On Upgraded Kenya’s Presidential Jet After Year-Long Overhaul
