When he ascended to power, President Uhuru Kenyatta hinted at remoulding a relationship with the East by ditching his predecessor, Mwai Kibaki's tendency to ride around in European cars.
Uhuru's favourite cars have either been manufactured in Kenya or the Far East.
How the Head of State travels from one location to another is one of the most guarded details in the country for obvious security reasons.
Everything from the elite drivers to the type of car, to the security detail, is passed through a microscope severally.
Over the years, President Uhuru has been spotted in several top-of-the-range cars. Here's a list of the beasts at the Commander in Chief's disposal.
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series
Since his campaign days in 2013, the President has been spotted countless times moving around in an armoured Japanese-made Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series, popularly known as the Land Cruiser V8.
Weighing an estimated 2.7 tonnes and an intimidating front grille, the gigantic car boasts of an enviable off-road capability thanks to its 4.5-litre V8 engine.
A visit to Toyota Kenya will set you back at least Ksh14 million for the 2018/2019 and 2020 models - its safe to say that customizing it into an armoured beast takes that sum much much higher.
The Cruiser comes complete with a Run Guard System fitted on the wheels permitting continued movement of the vehicle even if all tires somehow get punctures.
Open-top Toyota Landcruiser
On June 1, 2014, President Uhuru ditched the traditional ceremonial open-top Land Rover Defender during the Madaraka Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, opting to launch his armoured army-green Toyota Landcruiser which had a bulletproof glass surrounding it, and C in C as its registration, standing for Commander in Chief.
Security was air-tight during the celebrations with not only the army manning the entire perimeter, but a Reconnaissance Command Vehicle (RCV) Survivor 1, a beast engineered by Austrian firm, Achleitner, for military and paramilitary forces, forming part of his heavily armed entourage.
According to army-technology.com, the RCV Survivor weighs 8 tonnes, has a maximum cruise speed of 110km/h and is fitted with 'next-level' security features.
One of these monsters is believed to cost well over Ksh10 million, depending on the level of customization.
President Uhuru's monster truck was manned by hawk-eyed RECCE Company officers donning dark sunglasses, during the Madaraka festivities
Peugeot 3008
On March 14, 2019, President Uhuru unleashed the latest addition to his garage when he was spotted driving a brand-new Peugeot 3008 around State House, Nairobi.
The newly assembled Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) was a gift from his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron.
According to Peugeot, the 1600cc twin turbo SUV is one of the most advanced vehicle models produced by the French vehicle manufacturer and boasts of the lowest emission in its class.
"It is also a hardy vehicle, having being tested in several parts in Kenya," the enthusiastic president quipped after taking his new car for a spin.
The 2018 Peugeot 3008 price ranges between Ksh2,890,000 and Ksh6,099,000.
Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard
Following his second election victory in 2017, the President seems to have decided to embrace the efficiency renowned with German engineering, when he unleashed his brand new 6-metre-long, 6 tonne, armoured Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard.
The details regarding the security features mounted on his limo falls under the 'classified' category.
Car Bazaar, in 2016, revealed that that the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard provides complete protection - to put it mildly.
Equipped with a twin-turbocharged V12 engine with 530 brake horsepower, the limo can maintain a top speed of 160km/h.
Among a few powerful individuals who own a similar model are North Korea's Kim Jong Un, and Russia's Vladmir Putin.
According to the manufacturers, it takes one and a half-years for the car to be delivered after it has been ordered, due to the intense process it takes to armour the car.
The 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600 is one of the most expensive Mercedes currently available. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is about Ksh19,200,000. Load up all the options, which of course is the only way to buy your Maybach, and the price will be around Ksh20,000,000.
Mercedes Benz G-Wagon
At around 1:25 p.m on Sunday, April 26, President Uhuru was spotted while driving himself in Ndederu, Kiambaa and Ruaka. It was later revealed that he was inspecting how the police officers were enforcing the travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
His vehicle of choice was a blacked-out Mercedes Benz G-Wagon registration number KCL 275Y.
Hawk-eyed Kenyans were quick to point out that he may be stacking several of these beasts in his garage, as just a year earlier on March 17, 2019, he shocked worshippers at the Holy Family Basilica when he drove himself to the morning church service in a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon registration plate KCP 428A.
However, one could argue that, in line with presidential security protocols, it might have been a simple number-plate swap, to keep any potential threats in the guessing in the wind.
The luxury vehicle is reserved for an elite few, mostly due to its insane price.
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the 2018 Mercedes-AMG G-Class luxury SUV starts at Ksh14,379,500 for the G63.
Adding four cylinders for the V12-powered G65 is significantly more, with that top-line G-Wagon starting just shy of Ksh22,500,000.
The numerous features like the AMG-specific radiator grille and 22-inch wheels lend this legendary beast its extrovert outward appearance.
"The earth moves, the pulse races: with the 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine delivering 430 kW (585 hp), the Mercedes-AMG G 63 makes every journey feel like a motorised primal scream," reads an accurate description of the off-roader on mercedes-amg.com
Presidential Jet, Fokker 70 ER, alias Harambee One
When duty calls for the President to travel out of the country, Harambee One is the official mode of transport.
The Fokker 70 ER executive jet, estimated to be well worth over Ksh2 billion, was made in the Netherlands and acquired in 1995.
The late retired President Daniel Arap Moi was the first president in Kenya to use the aircraft on January 26, 1996, during his journey for an official function in Uganda with Colonel James Gitahi as the first captain of the plane.
"The first sight of our Fokker 70 Extended range Presidential aircraft, tail number KAF 308, will remain in our memories for a long time to come. It stuck most of us as the most beautiful plane we had ever seen. It looked elegant with a splendid outside finish," Colonel (rtd) James Gitahi stated in a past interview.
Although an ordinary Fokker 70 ER sits 70 passengers and crew, Harambee One is customised and has space for only 26, with much of the cargo area taken up by extra fuel tanks to increase its range.
It has two, rear-mounted, Rolls-Royce Tay power plants each generating approximately 13,000 pounds of thrust.
However, when it comes to lengthy flights, such as the one President Uhuru undertook on October 20, 2019, when he jetted off for the first Africa-Russia Summit in the Black Sea Resort of Sochi, Russia, a more luxurious plane is the preferred option.
For that particular trip, the president opted for the Airbus A318-112 (CJ) Elite A6-CAS, which was reportedly hired from Dubai based Constellation Aviation Services.
Described as an executive office with wings, the customised plane offers three spacious cabins with sliding partition doors for privacy. This in addition to VIP lounge, private office, luxurious VIP lavatory and high-speed internet.
The aircraft, which is powered by two CFM56-5 or Pratt & Whitney PW6000 engines with maximum thrust ratings of between 96 and 106 kilonewtons, is able to do a 9-hour nonstop journey.
Despite causing a public uproar at the time, the government is yet to release details of the actual amount the Head of State and his delegation splashed to hire the plane for the 5-day-long trip.
While cruising around on incognito mode, President Uhuru has been spotted in several other vehicles including a Range Rover Vogue, a 2017 Lexus LX570, and more recently what looked like a Toyota Probox or Succeed while taking a night drive along Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi, in the company of his close ally, Raila Odinga.
Watch President Uhuru cruising along Kenyatta Avenue below:
