President William Ruto on Friday, February 17, embarked on a three-day trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit.
The conversation on social media, however, drifted to the exotic nature in which the African presidents arrived in Ethiopia.
In videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport was dotted with a number of affluent presidential jets from the across the Continent.
In particular, Ruto arrived in Fokker 70 with a tail number KAF308 - which has served the country for nearly three decades.
For those seeking to lease a similar model to the presidential jet, the hiring rates range from around Ksh1.3 million per hour, according to paramountbusinessjets.
The presidential jet was, however, purchased during former President Daniel Moi's regime.
The ordinary private charter flight can accommodate 70 seats for passengers and crew but the presidential jet is customised with a capacity of 26.
A past report by The Standard indicated that much of the presidential jet's space is taken up by extra fuel in a bid to increase its range.
Owing to its cost and exotic nature, the jet is primarily used for VIP detail.
It consists of an entourage lounge, a VIP dining area, a VIP lounge, a VIP bedroom, a private office, a surround sound system, LCD televisions, a satellite telecommunications system and high-speed internet.
The presidential jet was first used on its maiden trip during Moi's tenure when he toured Uganda in 1996 alongside Colonel James Gitahi as the first captain of the plane.
Before then, the country relied on a Canadian Dash 8 aircraft to ferry VIPs around locally and internationally.
The plane was, however, replaced after it proved not to be efficient in long-distance travel.
"The idea of acquiring a new aircraft to cover more distance around the African continent and even to other countries was then conceived.
"This was due to the cost and convenience of having a Presidential jet as opposed to hiring a plane from an airline like Kenya Airways which was then undergoing privatization," read part of a statement from a book titled The Kenya Air Force Story 1964-2014, a golden Jubilee Commemorative Publication.
