Kenya's Presidential Jet Harambee One Returns After Year-Long Overhaul in the Netherlands
Why It MattersThe overhaul highlights how government and VIP fleets are adopting Gogo's Galileo FDX satellite connectivity, signalling wider uptake of LEO-based in-flight internet across business and VIP aviation.
Kenya's presidential aircraft, the Kenya Air Force Fokker 70 KAF308 known as Harambee One, has returned to the country after a year-long maintenance and upgrade program carried out in the Netherlands by Fokker Services Group. The aircraft was sent for the overhaul in August 2025, which included deep maintenance, interior refurbishment, and upgrades to onboard systems beyond routine servicing.
Among the key upgrades is the installation of the Gogo Galileo FDX satellite communications system, supplied by Gogo Business Aviation, which uses Eutelsat OneWeb's low Earth orbit satellite network to deliver in-flight internet with download speeds of up to 195 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 32 Mbps via a full-duplex electronically steered antenna. The aircraft, originally designed to carry around 70 passengers, was reconfigured with 26 seats for presidential and VIP duties, offering greater space and range for official travel.
First acquired by Kenya in 1995, Harambee One has served for over 30 years and has carried four presidents: Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and the incumbent William Ruto. During the maintenance period, Ruto relied on alternative and chartered aircraft for official travel, and the aircraft had not yet flown since its return to Kenya.
