The 2017 election has been billed as one of the most expensive in Kenya’s history.
And if the number of helicopters in our skies is anything to go by, this could be true.The civil aviation authorities have registered 50 helicopters and among the owners is President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga.In a spectacular show of the battle in the skies, the late Nderitu Gachagua’s burial was a showcase, somewhat, of who owns which copter in Kenya.Major public events, including political rallies, have seen the affluence display with President Kenyatta being among politicians who use helicopters for his campaigns.Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Ngirichi got tongues wagging after reportedly leasing and branding a chopper owned by the Kenyatta family for eight months. She was among those who arrived at the burial of the late Nyeri governor in the chopper. Reports indicate that the Kenyatta family has a fleet of choppers managed by Flex Aviation where a helicopter is reportedly hired at about Sh150,000 an hour.According to the standard, normal rates are Sh180,000 per hour but long-term leasing attracts significantly lower charges.Raila’s owns a Eurocopter which he regularly uses in his campaigns. Others who own the sky machines include DP William Ruto who has three, Peter Kenneth, NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi, the late Nicholas Biwott family who have two choppers.According to the Standard, KCAA says most of the branded choppers are owned by the more established politicians including former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae, retired President Mwai Kibaki, Kanu’s Gideon Moi and Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti.Jimmy Wanjigi who has been in the headlines is also reported to own a chopper that is regularly hired by politicians.
Here is a comprehensive list as shared by blogger Robert Alai.