President William Ruto uses state choppers managed and maintained by the Kenya Air Force.
The helicopter's interior, modified for VIP transport, is about 23 cubic meters - large enough to accommodate up to 26 passengers.
It comprises soft leather, wrapped armchairs and expensive furniture. Other special features are installed to ensure Ruto enjoys maximum comfort while on board.
The chopper is flown by trained pilots also drawn from Kenya Air Force. Before every departure, Kenya Air Force is carefully checked, and the Presidential Seal is placed on the side of the aircraft.
However, for other VIP officials to be allowed inside the chopper, Ruto's security team subjects them to thorough security checks and briefs
Real-Time Recording
While on board a military chopper, lawmakers are not allowed to live stream or make any recordings in real-time.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke Simiyu Werunga, the executive director at Geneva Centre for Africa Security, explained that live streaming while on a military chopper might expose Ruto and thus trigger a security threat.
"After a president leaves a venue, every action is paused until he lands," Werunga insisted.
Exposing Means of Transport
Werunga also indicated that MPs and other VIPs accompanying Ruto are not allowed to leak or share his means of transport before departure.
His movement is kept incognito, and only a few individuals from his security detail are allowed to track his air movement until landing.
To ensure Ruto's delegation complies with this directive, they are briefed before being allowed to board the military chopper.
"The security and communication team only issue his schedule, but they are not supposed to share details of his chopper or even car.
His movement should not be tracked at all," the security expert told Kenyans.co.ke.
Outlawed Personal effects
Any item likely to pose a danger to the head of state is not allowed inside the military chopper. Licensed gun-holders are not prohibited from boarding the chopper with firearms too.
Posting on the Internet
According to Werunga, anything that concerns the President is treated as a matter of national security. Legislators who accompany Ruto are thus restricted from posting without any proper order while on board the chopper.
Werunga insisted that whatever Ruto does in private should be exposed in public to maintain his image.
Briefs Before Boarding
According to Werunga, lawmakers are also briefed by Ruto's security team before boarding the chopper. Apart of the briefing includes the order of getting into the plane and how they are shepherded inside the Air Force chopper.
The MPs are also informed about their specific sitting positions. The President's seat is reserved, allowing him to manoeuvre and even perform some of his tasks.
His security team works in tandem with the communication team to limit the number of VIPs accompanying Ruto during state visits.
Features of the Chopper
The military chopper is enhanced by VK 2500- 03 engines. To enhance its performance, designers fitted it with an auxiliary power plant, upgraded transmission and internal fuel tanks.
It can cruise up to 259km/h and has a maximum operational ceiling of 6000m. It is also built to execute military rescue missions.
