Kenya’s presidential jet, Harambee One, is back in the country after spending nearly a year in the Netherlands undergoing extensive maintenance, interior refurbishment and major technological upgrades.

The Kenya Air Force Fokker 70 aircraft, registration KAF308, returned home last month following an extensive hangar visit undertaken by aviation maintenance specialists Fokker Services Group.

Photos shared by Fokker Services Group captured the aircraft in the skies over the Oosterschelde in the Netherlands during a Customer Acceptance Flight after completion of the maintenance and upgrade programme.

The aircraft, which has served as Kenya’s Head of State jet for more than three decades, underwent deep maintenance alongside interior and systems upgrades.

One of the most significant additions was the installation of the latest Gogo Business Aviation FDX Satcom system, giving the ageing aircraft advanced in-flight connectivity capabilities.

Fokker Services Group confirmed the completion of the work in a statement shared on its official social media page.

“Early this month we finished an extensive hangar visit of the Kenya Air Force KAF308 Head of State Fokker 70,” the company said in a statement.

“Another example of a strong airframe that has been maintained exceptionally well over the last 30 years.”

The company said the programme involved more than routine maintenance.

“Deep maintenance, interior and system upgrades and even the newest Gogo Business Aviation FDX Satcom system installation,” it said.

Fokker Services Group also praised the Kenya Air Force team for maintaining the aircraft over the years.

“Kudos to the KAF Team for taking such good care of this Fokker 70 aircraft, in fact one of the last ones built and delivered. Looking forward to support the KAF Team for many years to come.”

Aviation photographer Ben Ullings, whose photographs were shared by Fokker services group following the Customer Acceptance Flight, said he had an opportunity to accompany the aircraft as it approached and landed after a test flight.

“Early this afternoon the same applied to a beautiful Fokker 70 of the Republic of Kenya, that I could join early afternoon over the Oosterschelde at the end of a test flight,” Ullings said an August 3, post.

He said air traffic controllers at Woensdrecht made it possible for the Cessna 210 aircraft he was aboard to accompany KAF308 during its approach and touchdown.

“And thanks to Woensdrecht ATC it was possible for the Cessna 210 to also accompany KAF308 during approach and touchdown,” he said.

Ullings said the photographs represented only a small selection from the flight.

“A small selection is added here. There is a lot more on hold for near future publications,” he said, thanking the Fokker 70 crew and aviation teams involved in the flight.

The installation of the FDX Satcom system is among the major upgrades undertaken on the aircraft.

FDX is an advanced aircraft satellite communications technology designed to provide high-speed internet and real-time connectivity while an aircraft is in flight.

The system uses Low Earth Orbit satellites to maintain a reliable connection, allowing aircraft to send and receive large volumes of data simultaneously.

Unlike conventional satellite communication systems, FDX, meaning Full Duplex, enables two-way communication at the same time.

This allows secure voice and video calls, live data transmission, internet access and communication with ground-based operational centres.

The technology is particularly valuable for government, military and VIP aircraft, where continuous and secure communication can be critical during flights.

It can also support command-and-control functions and ensure senior government officials remain connected while travelling through regions with limited conventional communication networks.

Despite returning to Kenya, the aircraft has yet to undertake an international trip since its arrival.

Flight activity indicates that KAF308 has instead been carrying out local operational and test flights.

Operating under the callsign FLOK100, the aircraft has made several domestic flights involving Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi between August 25 and September 1.

President William Ruto has also yet to officially use the refurbished aircraft for either an international trip or local presidential outing since its return.

The return of Harambee One ends a nearly year-long absence that had forced the government to rely on alternative arrangements for some presidential travel.

The aircraft has been in service since the 1990s and has served several Kenyan presidents, making it one of the most recognisable aircraft in the Kenya Air Force fleet.

While the latest overhaul and technology upgrades are expected to extend its operational life, the return of KAF308 is also likely to revive debate over the long-term future of Kenya’s ageing presidential aircraft.