Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko made headlines again this week when he became the first person to try out a prototype of what is being called Kenya’s pioneering flying taxi. The test happened in Nairobi, and videos of it quickly spread across social media.
Sonko, known for his bold moves and love of attention, climbed into the unfinished vehicle. It looks like a small electric aircraft meant for short trips over the city. These are called eVTOLs, or electric vertical takeoff and landing machines. They are designed to avoid Nairobi’s heavy traffic by flying above it.
In the clips, Sonko sits in the cockpit area. The prototype lifts off a bit but does not go far. It seems more like a ground test than a full flight. Sonko looks excited at first, but things get shaky. People watching laughed as the machine wobbled. One post joked that it was almost a disaster, saying, “Karibu tuseme RIP before the New Year.”
Many online called it funny. Comments like “Hii ni Mbaya!” popped up, meaning “This is bad!” in Swahili. Others teased that Sonko nearly had a big scare. No one got hurt, though. It was all part of checking if the design works.
Kenya has been talking about air taxis for years. Kenya Airways, through its subsidiary Fahari Aviation, has plans to bring real eVTOLs into service. They signed deals with companies like Eve, part of Embraer, to buy up to 40 of these vehicles. The goal is to start operations soon, maybe connecting Jomo Kenyatta Airport to the city centre in minutes instead of hours on the road.
Nairobi traffic is a big problem. People lose hours every day stuck in jams. Air taxis could help with that. They are electric, quiet, and do not need long runways. They take off straight up. China has cheap models around Ksh42 million each. Kenya’s aviation authority has updated rules to allow them.
But full rollout is not here yet. Real commercial flights might start in 2026 or later. What Sonko tested seems like an early local prototype, still under construction. It is not the finished product from big companies.
Sonko often stays in the news. He was governor from 2017 to 2020 before impeachment over misconduct claims. Now he shares videos and comments on issues. This test fits his style, trying something new and sharing it right away.
People reacted in different ways. Some found it entertaining. Others said it shows Kenya trying to innovate in transport. A few worried about safety with unfinished machines.
More tests will come. If things go well, flying taxis could change how people move in Nairobi. For now, Sonko’s ride is the talk of the town. It gives a peek at what might be next for urban travel here.
Details on the company behind this prototype are limited. Posts just call it Kenya’s first. It highlights growing interest in advanced air mobility across Africa.
