This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
On Sunday evening, Raila Odinga made a quiet return to Kenya aboard the luxurious Constellation Aviation Airline Airbus A318-112(CJ) Elite A6-CAS, MS4211, after a three-week medical stay in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
According to multiple sources close to the leader, Mr. Odinga was indeed back in the country, having undergone minor surgery at a German hospital in Dubai.
His brother, Dr. Oburu Oginga, had earlier told the Nation that Raila was out of the country for a minor surgical operation on his back, adding that it was not a serious health issue.
The Airbus A318 private jet, which seats 19 passengers, landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Sunday evening at 9:49 PM, having left the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai at 5:13 PM on the same day.
Interestingly, the jet was scheduled for a trip to Zambia but was diverted to Nairobi, according to multiple aircraft tracking sites.
ODM deputy party leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, together with minority whip Junet Mohamed, had left the country aboard the same jet for Dubai on Thursday, where they were expected to accompany the party leader back into the country on Sunday.
Also in the entourage was Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Ibrahim Khatri.
The Airbus A318 private jet boasts mahogany interiors, an entourage lounge, VIP dining and lounge area, a private office, and a VIP bedroom designed to make clients feel right at home during long flights.
Constellation Aviation Airline, the aircraft's operator, offers premium VIP private jet charter services and operates a modern, state-of-the-art medium and long-range fleet of privately-owned aircraft.
