President William Ruto received a royal welcome in Oslo from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during his official visit to strengthen Kenya-Norway bilateral relations.
The discussions focused on enhanced parliamentary diplomacy, development cooperation, and strategic investment opportunities in infrastructure and the blue economy.
Set against Oslo’s modern cityscape and drizzle, a sleek black BMW i7 limousine drew attention as it chauffeured the President during the visit.
The presence of the luxury electric sedan drew stark comparison to the siren-blaring diesel-driven motorcade that Ruto is accustomed to.
The BMW i7 is the flagship all-electric limousine from the German automaker, designed to deliver premium comfort alongside zero tailpipe emissions.
Its imposing kidney grille, slim LED headlights and glossy black finish give it a commanding presence befitting a head of state.
Pictured against the backdrop of the rain, the car's sculpted design is a blend of armoured security and cutting-edge electric performance.
Unlike aftermarket armoured vehicles, the i7 Protection is built from scratch at BMW's Dingolfing plant.
"BMW doesn't just take a regular i7 off the production line and armour it," the publication Complete Car reports.
"Instead, it builds a bespoke body using what it calls a 'Protection Core'... The Protection version uses armoured steel in the body, reducing the amount of external armour required."
This integrated core earns the car a VR9 protection rating, which stops armour-piercing NATO rounds and explosive blasts.
However, the armoured plating and multi-layer ballistic glass bring a massive weight penalty. The vehicle tips the scales at a colossal 4.5 tonnes, nearly double the weight of the standard consumer version.
According to Bmwblog, BMW is the first manufacturer to combine both armoured protection and electric propulsion in the 7 Series.
"This makes the 4.5-tonne colossus slower than it already is, as it electronically brakes at a weary 160 km/h – despite 400 kW / 544 hp. The reason appears to be anticipatory obedience, because anyone driving an electric car – and especially such a colossus weighing several tons – will be punished by the range indicator sooner than they would like," writer Stefan Grundhoff notes.
To manage this immense weight during emergencies, the vehicle relies on specialised hardware.
Underneath its armoured shell, the vehicle relies on two powerful electric motors that drive all four wheels, generating 544 horsepower.
The motors draw energy from a massive high-voltage battery pack placed flat along the floorboards.
This configuration allows the heavy machine to accelerate smoothly and instantly without the noise or gear shifts of a traditional engine, pushing the massive carriage from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds.
Inside, the vehicle offers a first-class experience with spacious seating, advanced technology and near-silent travel.
The rear cabin is built like a private lounge on wheels, featuring multi-functional seats that can recline, heat up, and massage the passengers. It is wrapped in high-end materials like merino leather and cashmere, ensuring maximum comfort during long state transits.
Passengers also get access to a massive 31.3-inch theatre screen that folds down from the ceiling for entertainment and video conferencing. This is paired with a premium surround sound system and ambient lighting that changes to suit the mood inside the quiet cabin.
Ruto’s use of the BMW i7 during the visit also contrasted with Kenya's green energy ambitions as governments worldwide transition towards low-emission official fleets.
Beyond its luxury appeal, the vehicle symbolised a broader shift in mobility, where innovation and sustainability are increasingly central to state transport choices.
During the visit, President Ruto also held discussions with a Norwegian association to explore cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime tourism, fisheries and job creation for Kenyan seafarers.
He additionally met Crown Prince Haakon as part of the high-level engagements.