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William Ruto

DATE OF BIRTH


December 21, 1966

GENDER


Male

OCCUPATION


Politician, Botanist

FAMILY


Married Rachel in 1991

BIOGRAPHY


Dr Ruto, PhD, is the President of the Republic of Kenya.

He was born in Sugoi, Uasin Gishu County in 1966. 

Education background: Early schooling at Kamagut Primary, then joined Wareng Secondary School, followed by Kapsabet Boys High School for his A levels. He joined the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Zoology in 1990. He returned to same university years later and graduated with a Master of Science degree in 2011 and PhD in 2018.

Dr Ruto has served as Kenya’s deputy president since 2013 when he was elected as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s running mate. In October 2014, he served as acting President when Mr Kenyatta briefly relinquished power to attend to his criminal case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. Mr Kenyatta's charges were later dropped.

In 2011, he was named among the six individuals who planned and sponsored the 2007/08 post-election violence in which 1,200 people were killed and many others displaced over a disputed following a disputed presidential election. Dr Ruto was charged alongside journalist Joshua Arap Sang with crimes against humanity (murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population and persecution) during violence that followed the 2007 elections. The trial of Dr Ruto and Mr Sang opened on 10 September 2013. 

Dr Ruto's case at the ICC also collapsed in 2016. At the time, the court ruled there was insufficient evidence after crucial witnesses withdrew

He was a co-founder and key member of the infamous Youth for Kanu 1992 (YK92), a lobby group that campaigned for late President Daniel Moi in the 1992 general elections. Earlier, he had met Mr Moi, his political mentor, through his involvement in church activities. 

He was first elected to Parliament in 1997 as MP for Eldoret North. Dr Ruto served as an assistant minister in the Office of the President from 1998 to 2002 when he was elevated to cabinet as Minister for Home Affairs following the sacking of George Saitoti by Mr Moi after disagreements over the 2002 succession. Dr Ruto has also served as Minister for Agriculture and Higher Education. 

Dr Ruto opposed the referendum on the new Constitution in 2005 and 2010. 

He set his eyes on the 2022 presidential election which he contested on a UDA ticket under the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. 

On August 15, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Wafula Chebukati declared Dr Ruto Kenya's President elect after garnering 50.49 percent of the vote against Raila Odinga's 48.85 percent. 

Mr Odinga challenged the results at the Supreme Court. However, the seven-judge bench upheld Dr Ruto's win. The court said it found no evidence of hacking and that no evidence was produced to show that Mr Chebukati and other IEBC staff were involved. 

Latest articles on William Ruto:

  1. PREMIUM Mudavadi: Envoy jobs will not be for election losers

    CS says the ministry is working to limit non-career diplomats from dominating diplomatic appointments.

  2. PREMIUM Gachagua to unveil new party on May 15

    Former DP set to launch new political party to take on President Ruto's UDA.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  3. PREMIUM Short-lived truce. Ruto, Uhuru ceasefire collapses

    Kenyatta's latest message to the youth is seen by Ruto's allies as incitement against the government.

  4. PREMIUM Macharia Gaitho: Raila must stop doublespeak

    The ODM Cabinet ministers are bound to promote and support the government they are working for.

    James Orengo
  5. Lewis Ngunyi: Moral absolutism a major flaw in Gen Z political logic

    The Gen Z did not just fight a Bill; they declared a moral crusade.

    Protests
  6. Ogutu Miruka: New SGR deal a smarter, inclusive move

    By securing this deal, the Ruto administration has shown political courage and a commitment to balanced, nationwide development.

  7. PREMIUM Gachagua: Housing Levy will be abolished if opposition wins in 2027

    He says his presidential bid depends on Apex Court's ruling on his impeachment petition.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  8. Nassir takes on Ruto over roads funds

    'How is it that a person who doesn’t even know Mombasa region decides on spending?'

  9. PREMIUM Gachagua: Ruto launches ‘fake’ projects

    Former deputy president claims President Ruto launches projects knowing they will not be implemented.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  10. Mounting debt crisis calls for firm action

    According to the latest statistics, the national debt has spiralled to Sh11.02 trillion.

  11. Atwoli wants social media controls to tame Gen Z protests

    Cotu boss says social media could burn the country if not regulated.

    Francis Atwoli
  12. PREMIUM Murkomen confronts Kalonzo influence in Ukambani

    'Tell Mr Musyoka to join the broad-based government now'.

  13. PREMIUM Ruto’s image problem: Farida Karoney hired to boost State communication

    Sheer number of spokespeople, advisers and media officials has created confusion.

  14. PREMIUM Revenge, betrayal, fear and hope: The passions forging 2027 Mt Kenya politics

    Region that delivered a huge chunk of President Ruto's votes in 2022 now plotting his ouster.

    William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua
  15. PREMIUM Critics by day, loyalists by night? Paradox of the anti-Ruto voices in Raila camp

    They seem to be critics of broad-based government by day, and loyalists at night.

    Raila Odinga, President William Ruto
  16. Peter Kagwanja: After Ruto’s Beijing visit, Kenya now has to put words into action

    Currently, Beijing is Kenya’s largest trading partner and biggest source of its imports.

    2025-04-24T033832Z_46932055_RC224EAD1NLL_RTRMADP_3_CHINA-KENYA
  17. Kenya’s next president must tame graft

    The money stolen over time now runs into trillions of shillings.

  18. ‘Suddenly you’ve become clever’: Murkomen in rare Uhuru rebuke

    Interior CS accuses retired President of exploiting the young people.

    Uhuru Kenyatta and Kipchumba Murkomen
  19. Ruto joins Trump, world leaders for Pope Francis funeral

    President William Ruto wraps up China visit, heads to Vatican for funeral.

    2025-04-26T084644Z_2069591486_RC2K5EAZ7YB6_RTRMADP_3_POPE-FRANCIS-FUNERAL
  20. PREMIUM Why Kalonzo is dropping Wiper from his party name

    Opposition leader tells supporters to get ready for a new 'earth-shaking' name.

    Wiper