Kenyans Who Own Helicopters and Cost of Hiring One

Kenyans who own helicopters are in the top 1% of the wealthiest Kenyan businessmen and politicians. We will be discussing who owns these air machines and the cost of hiring a helicopter in Kenya.

While the bulk of Kenyans struggle to make ends meet – at best borrowing money to buy a tiny car or motorcycle — well-heeled Kenyans are buying the latest models of helicopters for luxury travel around the country or for the business of hiring them out.

Owning a helicopter is not a walk in the park, and that explains why the wealthy individuals who can afford these aircraft make up the majority of our political class.

Helicopter Hire Price in Kenya

In Kenya, hiring a chopper is pricey. You will cough between Ksh150,000 and Ksh170,000 to hire a helicopter in Kenya for an hour. Once the helicopter is in the air, this is calculated.

AS Aerospatiale 350B3e Eurocopter
AS Aerospatiale 350B3e Eurocopter

Kenyans prefer the AS Aerospatiale 350B3e Eurocopter, which is built in France. This helicopter is $1.9 million in price (Ksh202.8 million).

Because the chopper must be manufactured in Kenya, the price can reach Ksh350 million. Once purchased, it is flown into the country in pieces.

Fuel Prices, Parking Fees and Other Charges

Helicopters can use up to Ksh30,000 per hour in fuel. Wilson Airport charges Ksh10,000 per night for parking and Ksh1,000 for landing.

Depending on the number of hours flown by the pilot, insurance ranges from Ksh8 million to Ksh10 million. A new Cessna costs around Ksh43 million.

As of November 2018, the following is a list of Kenyans who own helicopters, as well as the cost of hiring or purchasing one.

Kenyans Who Own Helicopters

1. Uhuru Kenyatta

Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y JNM
5Y NMJ

Operated by Flex Aviation

2. William Ruto

Bell 505 Helicopter

Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y DSM
5Y DSN
Eurocopter EC130B4
5Y DSC
Bell 505

Operated by Kwae Island Holdings

3. Ephraim Maina

Bell 407
5Y PSM
Bell 206
5Y MNW

4. Patrick Musimba Kibwezi MP

Bell 407
5Y PPS

5. Simeon Nyachae

Eurocopter AS350B3e
5Y HSN

6. Musalia Mudavadi

Eurocopter EC 130 B4
5Y TXM

Musalia Mudavadi's Helicopter Photo
Musalia Mudavadi’s Helicopter Photo

7. Raila Odinga

Eurocopter EC 130 B4
5Y HOD

8. Lenny Kivuti

Bell 206
5Y HKK

9. S.K. Macharia (Royal Media Services)

Eurocopter AS350B3
5Y DSB
5Y SGM

10. Peter Kenneth

Bell 407
5Y PKI
5Y PKZ

11. Joshua Chepkwony

Eurocopter AS350B3
5Y HJK

12. Gideon Moi

Eurocopter As350B2
5Y ZKL
Hughes 300
5Y ZKM