Kenya’s founding president, Jomo Kenyatta, was known for his strong leadership and commanding presence, but behind the scenes, he reportedly struggled with several personal fears that influenced how he carried out presidential duties. One of the most notable was his fear of flying, a concern that significantly limited his international travel during his 14 years in office.
According to the book Miss Uhuru 1963: Working for Mzee Jomo Kenyatta written by former Social Secretary Elizabeth Madoka, Kenyatta avoided air travel whenever possible. Throughout his presidency, he is said to have made only one official trip outside Kenya by air. That rare journey took place in 1969 when he travelled to Ethiopia to meet Emperor Haile Selassie, who was considered one of his closest allies and friends on the African continent.
The visit was treated with great importance by the Ethiopian government. In a remarkable display of honour, Ethiopia’s military reportedly performed a special aerial demonstration upon Kenyatta’s arrival. Fighter planes flew in formation and spelled out the name “Jomo” across the sky, a symbolic gesture meant to celebrate the Kenyan leader and strengthen diplomatic ties between the two African nations.
Kenyatta’s fear of flying was also recalled by former Presidential Escort Commander Bernard Njinu. Njinu narrated an incident that allegedly occurred before Kenyatta became president. During a flight from Dar es Salaam to Mombasa, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence, leaving Kenyatta visibly shaken and angry. According to Njinu, the experience was so unpleasant that once the plane landed, Kenyatta furiously criticised the pilot and declared that he would never fly with him again. The incident is believed to have deepened his dislike for air travel for the rest of his life.
