On Tuesday, May 30, social media was awash with posts claiming President William Ruto had bought an expensive aircraft.
Most of those shared photos of the jet insinuated that the Head of State had acquired a Ksh6.5 billion jet to facilitate his movement.
However, a source close to Ruto dispelled the claims, noting that they had seen the social media claims and gave them a wide berth since they were false and misleading.
"We saw it, but it's not true. Well, the President also has a private life, but at least some of us who work with him at State House could have heard about it," the source that sought anonymity told Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, May 30.
A Google Image Reverse Search also indicates that the plane referenced is a Dassault Falcon 6X, a twin-engined, ultra-widebody business jet developed by Dassault Aviation.
It is the largest and most capable aircraft in the Falcon family, with a range of 5,500 nautical miles (10,200 km) and a maximum speed of Mach 0.90. The 6X is scheduled to enter the market in 2023.
The French-made aircraft is equipped with the latest avionics and technology, including the FalconEye combined vision system, which provides enhanced situational awareness in low visibility conditions.
F-Wave also features a spacious cabin with a maximum width of 102 inches (259 cm), making it the widest in business aviation. The cabin can accommodate up to 16 passengers in three zones, and it features a variety of amenities, including a galley, a lavatory, and sleeping berths.
The 6X is the latest in a long line of successful business jets from Dassault Aviation. The company has a reputation for building high-quality, reliable aircraft, with the 6X expected to continue that tradition.
"Falcon 6X can quite easily cross continents and oceans for more non-stop journeys, increasing the health and safety benefits of flying private that also includes access to private terminals and executive airports," Business Insider reported.
Kenyan Presidential Jet
Ruto uses the Presidential Jet, which is known as Fokker 70, a medium-range, twin-engined jet airliner.
It was acquired by the Kenyan government in 1997 and is used to transport the President of Kenya and other high-ranking government officials.
The jet has several security features, including bulletproof seats and windows, and a range of over 3,000 miles.
The Fokker 70 ER has a range of 1,070 nautical miles (1,980 km) and can carry up to 70 passengers. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce Tay 620 turbofan engines.
