- Kenya’s founding President Jomo Kenyatta reportedly made only one foreign trip during his 14 years in office.
- The only country he visited as President was Ethiopia in 1969.
- He travelled to meet then Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie.
- Reports claim Kenyatta had a fear of flying, which limited his international travel.
- Before becoming President, he had visited the United Kingdom in 1964 while serving as Prime Minister.
Unlike modern Kenyan presidents who frequently travel abroad for diplomatic and economic engagements, Kenya’s founding President Jomo Kenyatta reportedly made only one foreign trip during his entire presidency.
During his 14-year rule after Kenya attained independence, Mzee Kenyatta is said to have travelled outside the country only once, with his sole presidential visit being to neighbouring Ethiopia in 1969.
The historic visit was aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations between Kenya and Ethiopia. During the trip, Kenyatta met Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, who was considered one of his close allies and friends at the time.
Reports from the visit indicate that Kenyatta received a grand state welcome in Ethiopia, including a military aerial display organised in his honour. One of the most memorable moments was when Ethiopian military aircraft reportedly spelled out the name “Jomo” in the sky during celebrations marking his arrival.
Despite being Head of State for over a decade, Kenyatta largely remained within Kenya throughout his presidency. Historical accounts suggest that one reason behind his limited travel was his reported fear of flying, medically known as pteromerhanophobia.
Former State House Social Secretary Elizabeth Madoka previously claimed that the late president avoided air travel whenever possible, which explains why he rarely attended international meetings abroad.
However, before officially becoming President, Kenyatta had travelled to the United Kingdom in 1964 while serving as Kenya’s Prime Minister. He attended the Prime Ministers’ Conference during that visit.
The revelation about Kenyatta’s limited foreign travel continues to surprise many Kenyans, especially at a time when international presidential trips have become common among world leaders.
