William Samoei Arap Ruto, the fifth and current President of Kenya, was born on December 21, 1966, in Sambut village, Kamagut, in Uasin Gishu County. Ruto often recounts the poverty of his youth, including selling peanuts and chickens by the roadside, which instilled in him a deep understanding of economic hardship.
His early life was characterized by a strong drive for education. His academic journey began at Kerotet Primary School, followed by Wareng Secondary School and Kapsabet High School. He then attended the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and Zoology in 1990. During his time at the university, he was an active member and chairman of the Christian Union choir, where he reportedly met former President Daniel arap Moi, a connection that would later prove significant in his political career. Ruto continued his academic pursuits, earning both a Master of Science in Plant Ecology in 2011 and a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology from the University of Nairobi in 2018.
William Ruto is married to Rachel Chebet Ruto, whom he wed in 1991 at the Africa Inland Church. Rachel Ruto, a trained educator with a Bachelor of Education Degree from Kenyatta University and a Master of Arts from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, has become a prominent advocate for women’s empowerment through initiatives like the Joyful Women Organization. Together, William and Rachel Ruto have six children. Their children include Nick Ruto, a lawyer; June Ruto, who works as a diplomat; Charlene Ruto, involved in public relations and branding; and Stephanie Ruto, Cullie Ruto, and George Ruto, who are still in various stages of their education. The family also includes an adopted daughter, Nadia Cherono Ruto, whose story of abandonment as a newborn touched the President.
Ruto’s political career began in the early 1990s. He became involved with the Youth for KANU 1992 (YK’92) group, which campaigned for President Moi’s re-election, providing him with an early introduction to the intricacies of Kenyan politics. In 1997, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Eldoret North constituency, a position he held until 2013. During this period, he served in various ministerial portfolios under Presidents Moi and Mwai Kibaki, including Minister for Home Affairs (2002), Minister for Agriculture (2008-2010), and Minister for Higher Education (2010).
His political trajectory saw him shift allegiances over time, moving from the Kenya African National Union (KANU) to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He later played a pivotal role in the formation of the United Republican Party (URP). This party would eventually align with Uhuru Kenyatta’s The National Alliance (TNA) to form the Jubilee Alliance. In 2013, Ruto became Kenya’s first elected Deputy President alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta, serving two terms until 2022.
In 2022, William Ruto successfully campaigned for the presidency under the banner of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), securing a historic victory and assuming office on September 13, 2022. His presidency marks a significant moment in Kenya’s political history, underscoring his strategic prowess and enduring popular appeal.
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