Club 034, commonly known as the pride of Kajiado is one of the famous chill spots in Kitengela. The place has an old Boeing plane that was turned into a state of the art restaurants where visitors can enjoy their meals inside the plane. The African Torch caught up with Emmanuel Noetic, the proprietor of the facility and here is the full story.
Emmanuel Ngetich.
Emmanuel Ngetich, a businessman, came up with an idea of setting up a restaurant inside a plane in early 2020. He would then buy out the grounded Boeing 720 aircraft from Kenya Airways which had remained parked at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for several years. The plane which is 56 years old was then transported in a contingent of police outrides to its final destination in Kitengela. While speaking to the Standard, Ngetich revealed that the decision to buyout the plane was inspired by a trip he took to Thailand a while back.
“Kenya Airways offered the bid and I decided to try out hoping to purchase the plane for what would look like a crazy idea. My decision to establish the restaurant was inspired by a tour to Bangkok some few years ago. I was mesmerized to see this entertainment and shopping hub that has been designed around a grounded Lockheed TriStar at Chang Chui. This TrisStar is a genuine one, a jet that had been flying for Thai Sky Airlines before it was grounded in Don Mueang where it ‘was rescued’ as it was waiting to be scrapped to Chang Chui, its current location. Right now, it has been named Na-Oh, a daily ‘grounded flight’ that is whisking passengers off on culinary adventures and pleasures,” he explained.
He would then hear of the Kenya Airways bid which brought the unforgettable memories of his experience in Bangkok and so he decided to buyout the plane in a bid to change the entertainment scene in the country. He bought the plane at Ksh 1 million shillings but used more than that amount to transport it for over 25 kilometers to its final destination in Kitengela.
During an exclusive interview with K24 Television, Flash Mwatha, the engineer who designed the restaurant revealed that it cost between Ksh 6 million and Ksh 8 million.
“We are talking at around 6 to 8 million so that it can be fully complete. This involves the transportation of the aircraft from JKIA to here which was not easy and refurbishment of the plane which involves putting new seats, painting and creating a good atmosphere for visitors to enjoy,” he explained.
Inside Club 034.
Dubbed as the pride of Kajiado County, the plane is able to accommodate up to 100 clients. It has the VVIP section in the cockpit, VIP section in the business class and the regular section in the economy. In the entrance is a red carpet that welcomes you inside the luxurious one of a kind restaurant. On the outside is an airport experience with tents and chairs where visitors can sit on the ‘runway’ as they await to go on board the plan. Food is prepared in the normal plane kitchen and served by waitresses dressed as air hostess to give you that on board feeling.
Since it opened its doors, Club 034 is arguably one of the best restaurants and night clubs in Kitengela. Strategically located just 3 kilometres away from Kitengela town along the Nairobi – Namanga highway, the facility attracts different people from children, teenagers and adults. It offers one of the best nyama choma in town and adults can enjoy a bottle of their favorite whiskey or beer at the facility.
