As you hustle for a loan to buy a car-or a boda boda (motorbike), well oiled Kenyans are acquiring the latest models of ‘vehicles that fly through the air’. And you guessed right. These moneyed boys form the bulk of our political elite. And most of these politicians have the dubious tag of cutting corner corner deals with abandon as those who gave them the jobs cheer them on.
We take a look at the Kenyans who own helicopter and how much it would set you back to hire one. READ FULL STORY
Owners of the choppers and their registration numbers
Uhuru Kenyatta operated by Flex Aviation
Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y JNM
5Y NMJ
William Ruto operated by Kwae Island Holdings
Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y DSM
5Y DSN
Eurocopter EC130B4
5Y DSC
Ephrahim Maina
Bell 407
5Y PSM
Bell 206
5Y MNW
Patrick Musimba Kibwezi MP
Bell 407
5Y PPS
Simeon Nyachae
Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y HSN
Musalia Mudavadi
Eurocopter EC 130 B4
5Y TXM
Raila Odinga
Eurocopter EC 130 B4
5Y HOD
Lenny Kivuti
Bell 206
5Y HKK
SK Macharia
Eurocopter AS350B3
5Y DSB
5Y SGM
Peter Kenneth
Bell 407
5Y PKI
5Y PKZ
Joshua Chepkwony
Eurocopter AS350B3
5Y HJK
Gideon Moi
Eurocopter As350B2
5Y ZKL
Hughes 300
5Y ZKM
General Karangi operated by Aberdair
Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y FWE
5Y MNJ
5Y NKW
Guru of Devki
Eurocopter EC 130 B4
5Y DCC
Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y DVK
5Y EVG
Ian Mumano operated by Ladylori
Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y BTW
5Y BVM
Eurocopter EC 130 B4
5Y GYM
Jimmy Wanjigi
Eurocopter EC 130 B4
5Y JWJ
Phil Mathews
Eurocopter EC 130 B4
5Y KGV
Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y KUI
Joshua Kulei operated by Phoenix Aviation
AgustaWestland 119 VIP
5Y RBY
Osiemo operated by Wilken
Eurocopter AS350B2
5Y HLI
Nicholas Biwott operated by Air Kenya
Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y HNB
5Y JNB
William Kabogo
Eurocopter AS350B3
5Y–EXK
Kalonzo Musyoka
Eurocopter AS 350B3 Ecureuil’s
Registration Number is 5Y-DKK5Y-DKK
Others
Kenya Pipeline
Eurocopter’s
5Y PSH
5Y EXC
KPLC
Bell 407
5Y EXT
KWS
Bell 407
5Y KWM
Bell 206
5Y KWW
PHOENIX AVIATION
Bell 412s
5Y PAH
5Y PHO
POLICE
Mi17s
5Y DCI
5Y STA
5Y SFA
5Y EDM
Kenyans who own Cessnas
John Munyes
six-seater Cessna U206
5Y-MJK
Dr Richard Leakey
Single engine six-seater Cessna U206G.
Mr Jonathan Leakey
5Y-BBD
The late Mr Thomas Cholmondeley
PZL-104 Wilga 35 agricultural aircraft, registration 5Y-BPF.
Franc Tundo
5Y-BJY
Cost of hiring a helicopter in Kenya
To hire a chopper is expensive in Kenya. For one hour, you will cough between kes150,000 and kes170,000. This is calculated once the helicopter is airborne.
The French made AS Aerospatiale 350B3e Eurocopter is the most popular brand with Kenyans. The cost of this helicopter is US$1.9 million (kes202.8 million). The cost goes upwards of kes350 million as the chopper has to be assembled in Kenya. It’s flown into the country in parts once it has been purchased.
Fuel consumption, Parking and landing charges
Helicopters consume upto shs30,000 worth of fuel per hour. Parking per night at Wilson Airport is sh10,000 and landing fee is kes1,000.
Insurance is between kes8 million and upto shs10million depending on hours flown by the pilot.
Cost of Cessna
A brand new Cessna is about kes43 million.
