There is a photo many Kenyans remember of George Ruto standing beside a plane, looking every bit the wide-eyed youngster with big dreams.
Fast forward to today, and the youngest son of President William Ruto is no longer just posing for pictures. He is the one at the controls.
Known online as Captain GK, George has been offering his followers a peek into his aviation life through TikTok and Instagram Stories. In one clip, he is seen fully absorbed in a helicopter cockpit, navigating the aircraft over green terrain while monitoring the instrument panel.
Another video shows passengers stepping off his maroon and white chopper onto an open field. For many who watched, it felt like watching a childhood dream come full circle.
His passion for flight has deep roots. George attended Mang’u High School, which is among the handful of Kenyan national schools that offer Aviation Technology as a subject, complete with access to simulators and field trips to Wilson Airport.
He then went on to study Actuarial Science at Strathmore University, graduating in 2021 before heading to the United Kingdom for formal flight training. He is now a licensed pilot registered under the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA).
In a video from the cockpit, he cracked a joke that resonated with many: “I’m outside looking for money to buy bundles,” a nod to a previous admission that he once found it difficult to afford mobile data. The humour landed well with his audience.
Beyond aviation, George has been quietly building his own ventures. He runs 82 Sports Company, which channels funding into grassroots football, and owns a fleet of matatus under the Raptor Family brand, including vehicles named Mood, Money Fest, and Baba Yaga. He also heads the Lisha Mkenya Foundation
Kenyans online could not hide their admiration. “From posing next to a plane to flying choppers. Dreams are valid!” one user wrote, while another added, “Captain GK is really living his dream.”
