(This article was first published in Toto Magazine on September 21, 2022)
William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto is 55 years old. He was born on December 21, 1966 in Sambut village, in the Rift Valley Province. He is the leader of the United Democratic Alliance party under the Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) coalition. Ruto defeated his main rival in the election, Raila Odinga, 77, who was running under the Azimio la Umoja (Unity Declaration) coalition. Ruto is a Kalenjin by tribe and his parents Sarah and Daniel Cheruiyot are peasants.
He was sworn in as Kenya’s fifth president recently. Ritah Mukasa brings you his rise from a poor background to presidency. Ruto walked to school barefoot. He grew up selling chicken and groundnuts from a roadside stall to make money. This is why during the presidential campaigns,
he called himself the ‘Hustler’ and champion of the poor. Ruto pulled himself out of poverty and worked his way to greatness.
His love for God Ruto and his wife Rachel are Christians who love serving in church. He headed the Christian Union in secondary school and he was a worship leader at university. During the campaigns, Rachel Ruto led Kenyans in prayer for her husband’s victory.
His education William Ruto went to Kerotet Primary School.
He walked barefoot for years. Thereafter, he joined Wareng Senior Secondary School and got his first pair of shoes when he was 15 years old.
Ruto completed secondary education at Kapsabet Boys’ High School.
In 1990, he graduated with a degree in botany (study of plants) and zoology (study of animals) from the University of Nairobi. He also holds a doctorate degree (PhD).
How he became president
Last year, Ruto contested as president with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other candidates.
Kenyans voted on August 9, 2022. Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, announced Ruto as winner with 7.18 million votes (50.49%) against 6.94 million (48.85%) for his rival Raila Odinga. It was a very tight race.
Odinga went to the Supreme Court saying the election was rigged, however, court ruled in Ruto’s favour. He was sworn in as president on September 13.
Ruto is a rich family man
Today, Ruto is one of the richest Kenyans. He has a large farm measuring 2,500-acres.
He also has hotels and several other businesses. He and his wife Rachel Chebet, they have seven children.
Joining politics
- William Ruto joined politics in 1992 when he met the late President Daniel Arap Moi at a church event. Moi mentored him into politics.
- Ruto became a powerful speaker at public gatherings. He usually begins his speeches by saying ‘My friend’ and people love him a lot because they see him as their friend.
- In 1997, he became a Member of Parliament for Eldoret North constituency. He was re-elected in 2002.
- Ruto also served as minister of education and later, minister of agriculture.
- From 2013-2022, he has been serving as deputy to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
