Kenya’s presidential jet has got a new home near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after more than two decades of calling Moi Airbase in Eastleigh it’s home.
While the move is seen as an effort to ease convenience during presidential air travels, it is also part of the modernization of military facilities as well as changes related to growing threats of terrorism.
Kenya’s presidential jet, technically known as Fokker 70, manufactured and bought from the Netherlands in 1995, will now be based at 75 Artillery Battalion in Embakasi, popularly known as Embakasi Garrison which among others hosts Kenya’s air defence battalion.
The hangar to host the Kenya presidential jet was completed last year and currently hosts the jet that was bought for Sh2.7 billion during the administration of the late President Daniel Arap Moi.
While the transfer of the jet’s home is seen as part of the modernization of the military, it has also taken off part of the shine from Moi Airbase in Eastleigh, which for a long-time hosted Kenya’s presidential jet.
The transfer could also have been prompted by the growing risk of terrorism in Nairobi from the Al Shabaab terrorist group, with the military opting to transfer its air assets away from the risk.
Moi Airbase is surrounded by densely populated estates including slums. A presidential jet would be a prized target for terrorists. The garrison is also a host to the newly acquired military cargo transport planes known Spartan C-27J, which replaced the Buffalo aircraft.
Why 75 Battalion was chosen to host Kenya’s presidential jet
Located at the edge of the JKIA along the Eastern Bypass, the base is part of the police and military assets located within the greater Utawala town, which hosts the Administration Police and General Service Unit training facilities.
It hosts the Defence Forces Technical College (DEFTEC), which is responsible for producing quality technical personnel who become instrumental in servicing and maintaining Kenya’s Land, Air and Naval Equipment and Systems, enhancing the operational readiness of country’s equipment.
It is also the designated host of National Defence University (NDU-K).
It is located at an advantageous location considering that it shares a fence with the JKIA has at its disposal vast amount of land in Embakasi for expansion.