The number of helicopter owners in Kenya has risen sharply over the past two years. This is after rich Kenyans imported 325 choppers. The choppers were imported from South Africa. This has been revealed by data from South Africa’s tax authority. In addition to this, about 519 helicopter engines were shipped in from South Africa in the year 2021. The engines were valued at Sh. 1.6 billion.
These numbers are a sharp increase to the estimated figure of registered helicopters that was recorded in 2020. According to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General Captain Gilbert Kibe, the number of registered helicopters stood at 67 as at the end of year 2020. He however added that the authority was anticipating a rise in the number of registered choppers as Kenya inched closer to the 2022 General Elections.
Helicopters have become a beloved mode of transport during electioneering periods in Kenya, with politicians mostly using them to hop from village to village.
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Leading politicians including Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are two of the most prominent Kenyans who own helicopters. Raila is said to own a Bell 407. DP Ruto on the other hand owns at least three Aerospatiale 350B3 Ecureuil Eurocopters.
Other helicopter owners in Kenya include Musalia Mudavadi who owns a Eurocopter registration 5Y–TXM, late Nicholas Biwott (registration 5Y–HNB), Late Simeon Nyachae (registration 5Y–HSN) which is registered under Aircraft Leasing Services, and former presidential candidate Kenneth who owns two Bell 407 choppers registration numbers 5Y–PK1 and 5Y–PKZ. Ephraim Maina owns two Bell choppers registration 5Y–PSM and 5Y–MNW manufactured in 2006. Former President Kibaki too owns one, registration 5Y–FWE. Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo also owns a Eurocopter AS350B3 registration number 5Y–EXK which once crashed while taking off at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
Helicopters are estimated to consume up to Sh. 30,000 worth of fuel per hour. Parking per night at Wilson Airport is estimated to cost Sh. 10,000 while landing fee is around Sh. 1,000. Insurance is estimated to stand at between Sh. 8 million and up to Sh. 10 million depending on hours flown by the pilot.
