41 Helicopters?! Kenyans Have Money
Written by RadioVuna on May 9, 2022
Data from the Aero Club of East Africa (ACEA), an advocacy organisation for private aircraft owners, shows that in 2021, 41 new helicopters were registered.
Politicians are believed to have purchased the planes, according to ACEA, as they prepare for campaigning in the next General Election.
Choppers accounted for 41 of the 47 registered aircraft, a clear indication of the popularity of this mode of transportation among politicians campaigning across the nation.
Compared to 2020, when 26 new choppers were registered, this represents an increase. Because of travel limitations imposed by the Covid-19 outbreak, ACEA claims that the number of attendees was less.
Apart from politicians, the increase in the number of registered planes may be ascribed to an increasing number of rich people who can afford to purchase and operate an aircraft.
In addition, there are corporate executives, large-scale farmers, and ranchers in Narok, Laikipia, and Nanyuki counties.
While Kenya imports planes from Europe, the West, and Asia, South Africa is a favorite among politicians because of the availability of planes for purchase or rental during campaigns.
More than half of Kenya’s helicopters come from South Africa, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The hourly rate for a three-passenger helicopter in Kenya ranges from Ksh.150,000 to Ksh.170,000, with higher-capacity helicopters costing up to Ksh.250,000.
Ksh.200 million, excluding local registration fees, is the cost of acquiring one.
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