President William Ruto landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday, September 7, for the second Africa Climate Summit, but not aboard Kenya’s official presidential jet.
The Fokker 70 (F70), Kenya’s long-serving presidential aircraft, is currently in the Netherlands undergoing a VIP reconfiguration.
Therefore, with the jet grounded, State House turned to a Gulfstream GV (T7-VVV), owned by Skymark Executive, to ferry the Head of State to Ethiopia.
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was hired through offshore business connections in San Marino.
The GV is Skymark Executive’s first aircraft based in Africa, as the other two Gulfstream jets are stationed at Dubai World Central.
Also Read: Ruto Jets Out of the Country
Details of the Private Jet Chattered by Ruto
The jet belongs to Skymark Executive (SMB), a private aviation company that recently expanded its charter fleet with the induction of the 25-year-old Gulfstream GV.
Registered under MSN 584, the aircraft is configured to carry up to 18 passengers in ultra-luxury comfort.
According to aviation data, T7-VVV had been parked in Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg, Switzerland, since March 31, 2025, before relocating to Kilimanjaro on August 2, 2025.
It was finally relocated to Nairobi the following day, where it has since been based.
The GV is Skymark Executive’s first aircraft permanently stationed in Africa, while its other two Gulfstream jets are based at Dubai World Central.
Previously registered in the United States as N84GV, the aircraft was not Part 135-certified at the time but has been stationed in Nairobi since mid-October 2024.
Skymark Executive stated in a September 6 statement that the GV will better serve the increasing VIP flying demand across the African continent.
“Based at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, the GV will enable us to better serve the increasing VIP flying demand across the African continent,” the company said in a statement.
Inside the Gulfstream GV
The Gulfstream GV is considered one of the most prestigious business jets globally.
It boasts a range of 12,000 km, luxury recliner seating, private suites, and high-end cabin configurations.
Further, its estimated cost is Ksh1 billion.
Its induction into the Nairobi-based fleet shows Skymark’s intent to tap into Africa’s growing executive charter market and the Ethiopia trip marks one of the first high-profile uses of this aircraft in Kenya.
Also Read: Iceland Prime Minister Uses KQ Flight Amid Ruto Jet Saga
What is Ruto Doing in Ethiopia?
The trip comes as Ruto attends the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS), designed to position Africa as a global leader in climate solutions.
Kenya hosted the inaugural summit in Nairobi in September 2023, where the continent pushed for stronger climate financing and green growth partnerships.
The 2025 edition will focus on accelerating African-led adaptation and mitigation strategies, while pushing for fairer access to global climate finance.
Leaders are expected to push back against Western-dominated funding models that often leave African nations indebted while still on the frontline of climate disasters.
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