Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi arrived in Nairobi for the inaugural Africa Forward Summit 2026 aboard a heavily armoured Mercedes-Benz Maybach, sparking excitement online.
The Egyptian leader remained inside the luxury vehicle as it rolled through the cabro-paved entrance of the KICC, flanked by towering close protection officers.
The convoy quickly became one of the most talked-about arrivals at the summit in the heart of the capital.
Videos seen by TNX Africa showed El-Sisi’s custom Mercedes-Maybach appearing to be the specialised W222 S600 Guard model, a factory-built armoured limousine engineered for maximum civilian ballistic protection.
Unlike the longer Pullman Guard variant often used for ceremonial state duties, the S600 Guard retains the standard wheelbase luxury sedan profile while integrating military-grade protection directly into the vehicle’s structure.
The body shell itself is heavily reinforced with special steel armouring integrated beneath the exterior panels, while critical sections such as the doors, firewall, roof frame and rear bulkhead are fitted with additional ballistic materials designed to withstand sustained assault rifle fire.
According to automotive review site Car and Driver, the model offers full-body protection against continuous automatic weapons fire, including M60 machine guns that use 7.62 x 51 mm rounds.
Unlike most Heads of State, Egyptian President HE Abdel El-Sisi arrived in his left hand custom armored Maybach at KICC, maintaining right drive. pic.twitter.com/HfDKiq90eh
— Seth Olale (@SethOlale) May 12, 2026
Its windows are fitted with thick multi-layered glass and a polycarbonate inner coating designed to prevent splintering during an attack.
“The windows, several times thicker than the stock double-pane glass, are so heavy that each needs its own hydraulic lift to open and close,” Clifford Atiyeh writes.
The vehicle also features overlap armour systems around door seams and joints, areas typically considered vulnerable in conventional vehicles.
Even the floor section is reinforced to offer protection against explosive devices and grenade blasts beneath the car.
So extensive is El-Sisi’s protection that the Maybach includes a self-contained emergency fresh-air system capable of sealing the cabin and supplying clean oxygen during a gas attack.
Under the hood, the behemoth is powered by a 530-hp twin-turbo V12 engine, providing enough torque to move its massive weight at high speeds.
Its suspension system has been completely rebuilt with reinforced air springs and auxiliary steel springs to handle the added armour while maintaining ride comfort.
Mobility is further enhanced by run-flat tyres, which feature a rigid internal ring that allows the vehicle to continue driving for more than 28 kilometres even with zero tyre pressure.
The braking system features six-piston front callipers and larger rotors to ensure effective stopping power despite the heavy plating.
Back at KICC, El-Sisi’s security detail sparked widespread discussion among Kenyans on X, with many linking the heightened precautions to Egypt’s long-standing presidential security concerns, particularly the attempted assassination of former President Hosni Mubarak in Ethiopia in 1995.
One user noted that Egypt has remained highly cautious since the incident, saying the country does not leave the security of its head of state to chance.
El-Sisi is among more than 30 heads of state attending the Africa Forward Summit, alongside more than 1,500 business leaders discussing trade, technology and green industrialisation.
The summit is co-hosted by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, with discussions focused on strengthening Africa-France partnerships in sustainable economic growth and infrastructure development.
Other leaders attending the summit include President Julius Maada Bio, President Alassane Ouattara and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Photos: Courtesy, Car and Driver