Khalif Kairo, a Kenyan car businessman, disclosed the practical expenses and time commitment involved in obtaining a private pilot licence (PPL) after speaking on the ObinnaTV show on 5 October 2026.

He confirmed that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) mandates a minimum of 40 flight hours for a PPL, but warned that most trainees need considerably more hours to meet competency standards.

Kairo attended Flightstar for his training, noting that the advertised cost often cited in the media is misleading and that the actual outlay can be substantially higher.

For comparison, Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua’s private pilot training at Ninety Nines Flying School in 2023 cost between KSh 1.55 million and KSh 1.81 million for the basic PPL package, which includes ground school, simulator sessions, flight time in a Cessna 172 and licensing fees.

Mutua’s ongoing flight experience now exceeds 300 hours, and with aircraft rental rates over KSh 30,000 per hour, his total spending has risen well beyond the initial licence fee.

Kairo’s own timeline involved balancing flight school with a master’s degree, illustrating that aspiring pilots can pursue training alongside other commitments.

Prospective pilots should therefore budget for more than the statutory 40‑hour minimum and anticipate higher total costs, especially if they aim to accumulate the extensive flight hours required for advanced proficiency.