Politics in Kenya has gone hi-tech as many politicians strive to reach more of their support bases.
Apart from social media, the political landscape is taking new shape as many acquire top of the range machinery to allow them access even the remotest areas in search of votes.
Among these acquisitions is a helicopter.
The politicians’ budget has significantly increased from 2002 which has empowered many of them to increasingly use faster and more efficient means of transport. Helicopters will play a big role in the 2017 elections.
So far, about 60 helicopters have been registered by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and here are some politicians who have an edge over their competitors for simply owning a chopper or two.
Ephraim Maina is a former Mathira MP and he has three copters. The tycoon is mostly known for his Kirinyaga Construction (K) Company. He vied for he Nyeri Senator’s seat in 2013 but lost. He has not hang his boots yet. His choppers will come in handy when he has to go forth… seeking the votes.
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family wealth is phenomenal. However, the family has only two copters which they use occasionally.
Uhuru’s compadre Deputy President William Ruto has one chopper and with combined efforts, he and Uhuru has a massive tranche to campaign with. Ruto owns the chopper in partnership with KASS CEO Joseph Chepkwony, according to Tuko.
2013 presidential seat aspirant Peter Kenneth is also a man of means. PK, as he is known in political circles, has two helicopters. Before vying for the presidency, he served in the Kibaki government. He lost the bid to Uhuru.
Former VeePee Kalonzo Musyoka is also not badly off as he has one copter. However, the machine crashed on Thursday, October 15 last year in Tanzania. The Eurocopter has been repaid by the insurance company.
The Total Man during the Moi regime Nicholas Biwott may not be vying for any seat but he has one machine. Biwott vied for the Elgeyo Marakwet senator’s seat but he was trounced. His wealth was amassed when he served in government.
ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has two copters at his disposal. The Mudavadis have been in government since the Moi regime. Mudavadi joined politics at the age of 27 but he only joined the presidential bid fray in 2013. He is running again and his choppers will come in handy.
Cord leader Raila Odinga has only one chopper but he is rumoured to be in the process of acquiring more ahead of the 2017 election.
The Odinga family is involved in several businesses and having been in government since the colonial days, it is not a surprise that he is in the big league when it comes to playing politics.
In Kenya, no political story worth its salt ends without mentioning Moi. The Moi family has run this country for two decades and those born before 2002 thought Moi was the synonym for government.
Gideon Moi and his father own a Eurocopter which will surely come in handy this campaign period. If anything, more could be acquired since there are more Moi’s on the campaign trail.
We can only expect more choppers in our skies and the politicians hit the campaign trail in earnest.