President William Ruto’s lieutenants in Parliament are pushing for the replacement of the presidential jet, citing safety concerns in the wake of the chopper crash that killed General Francis Ogolla last Thursday.
The MPs, led by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya [Deputy Majority leader], want the Budget committee to consider starting the journey of buying a new official plane for the President this financial year.
The MP said the plane used by the President is old, having been bought by President Daniel Moi more than 30 years ago, adding that of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also needs to be replaced.
“As we take care of the military, we also need to take care of our state officials. We must as a country budget for a new presidential jet…so that we can retire the existing one and buy another one.”
The presidential jet, famously known as Harambee One, is a Fokker 70 extended-range aircraft. It was brought into the country in December 1995.
“I have looked at the presidential jet and it has been here for 30 years. In books, probably it has been written off……because of the country that we are, we still want the president to fly the plane,” Baya said.
The MP said it is time the jet is replaced to not only ensure the safety of the President, but also those of the officers from the Kenya Air Force who operate it.
“The officers who man the presidential jet are from the Kenya Air Force. We need to give them a jet that can assure them of their safety as they carry out their duties,” Baya said.
He said MPs have the responsibility to start putting a budget line in the current budget estimates to help the government start shopping for a new presidential jet.
“Even if it is not President Ruto who will use it, the next president should have a new one. The current plane is old, equipment worn out and should be put in a museum,” Baya said.
“We have an obligation to provide the President and his entourage a safe equipment in the air as he travels to represent the country. We must do that as a matter of urgency and I know we can get the money,” he said.
Baya revealed he has had safety fears on the few occasions he has used the aircraft used by the Deputy President.
“Even the Deputy President’s aircraft needs to be safe. I have travelled with him once and I had safety concerns. We need to look at the welfare of our armed forces to make sure they use equipment that is safe, not one that would backfire on them,” he said.
“We have had many accidents involving aircraft used by the military and the police. We need to review that.”
Baya made the comments during a debate on a motion to give military men special passes and priority at airports.
MPs said the motion by Lamu West MP Ruweida Obo should include other places where the military personnel seek services like hospitals and banks.
Baya was joined by MPs Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North), Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri and Mosop’s Abraham Kirwa.
Ruku said, “It is true that the jet the President uses is almost derelict. It cannot traverse Kenya to Europe or the USA. It is not a safe aircraft at the moment.”
“When the VIPs are using these planes, they need to be checked properly. They need to be fully serviced. Let us look at the equipment being used by the military. The equipment is old and worn out,” Rindikiri said.
Kirwa stated, “It is unfortunate we lost key officers because of a mechanical problem. Hearing the concerns by Baya over the plane used by the president and his team, it makes me wonder if we are now safe.”
The presiding chair of the session David Ochieng’ (Ugenya MP) drew the matter to the attention of the Budget Committee chairman Ndindi Nyoro.
“Hon Ndindi, you need to hear what Baya is saying…I think he is addressing you on the matter he is raising,” Ochieng said.
The jet tail number KAF 308 was made in the Netherlands and can carry up to 26 passengers following the modifications that were done to suit its tasks.
Earlier, Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah called on his colleague MPs to prioritise the modernisation of military aircraft, including the presidential jet.