If you’ve ever come across President William Ruto’s motorcade, one striking detail likely stood out: nearly all the vehicles in the fleet are black.
Black is the colour of choice for vehicles used by most Heads of State around the world. It signifies authority, elegance, and formality, making it the standard and most appropriate colour for a sitting President.
Beyond symbolism, black vehicles also offer practical benefits, especially when it comes to security. Their discreet appearance makes them harder to distinguish from other cars, helping reduce the risk of being targeted.
The colour also sets the presidential convoy apart from other government vehicles, including those used by police, the military, and emergency services.
For instance, in Kenya, President Ruto's cars are all black, ranging from his armoured Land Cruiser 200 to his Lexus LX 570 and Mercedes S560.
You will notice that when presidents visit Kenya for official business, they are usually driven in black Mercedes or other dark high-end cars when moving around.
Vehicle dealers claim that, in the present day, buyers have developed a tendency to choose black, especially when purchasing luxurious cars, because they give a feeling of mystery and intrigue.
On many occasions, Presidents are likely to change different brands of cars but will always retain one thing, the black colour of their vehicles.
However, questions have occasionally been raised as to why, despite most Heads of State preferring black vehicles, presidential aircraft are not typically painted black.
It’s worth noting that there is no universally designated colour for aircraft used by Heads of State. Instead, most countries designate specific aircraft, often with multicoloured national or official markings, for presidential use. These planes prioritise national identity and visibility over the symbolism of colour alone.
That said, there are rare instances where Heads of State opt for vehicle colours other than black. A notable example is India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
In India, official government vehicles, including those used by senior state officials such as the Prime Minister, are predominantly white. In Indian culture, white symbolises honesty, purity, and transparency—values expected of public servants and leaders.
