William Kipchirchir Samoei arap Ruto (born 1966) is a Kenyan politician who serves as the fifth and current President of the Republic of Kenya since taking office on September 13, 2022. Prior to his presidency, he served as Kenya’s first elected Deputy President from 2013 to 2022 under President Uhuru Kenyatta. Rising from humble beginnings, his political career is marked by astute strategy, shifts in alliances, and a relentless focus on the economic plight of the common citizen.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | William Kipchirchir Samoei arap Ruto |
| Born | December 21, 1966, Sambut, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya |
| Political Party | United Democratic Alliance (UDA) |
| Presidential Term | September 13, 2022 – Present |
| Previous Office | Deputy President of Kenya (2013–2022) |
| Education | Ph.D. in Plant Ecology, University of Nairobi (2018) |
| Platform | “Hustler Nation” (Focused on the “bottom-up” economic model) |
Early Life, Education, and Political Mentorship
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Humble Origins: Ruto was born to a religious family in rural Uasin Gishu County. He often recounts his childhood poverty, including going barefoot and selling peanuts and chickens by the roadside—experiences that underpin his later “Hustler Nation” political narrative.
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Academic Achievement: He excelled academically, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and Zoology in 1990, a Master of Science in Plant Ecology in 2011, and a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology in 2018, all from the University of Nairobi.
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Entry into Politics (YK’92): Ruto’s political career began in the run-up to the 1992 election when he became the treasurer of the Youth for KANU ’92 (YK’92) lobby group, which campaigned vigorously for the re-election of President Daniel arap Moi. This role gave him an early, direct education in the machinery of Kenyan politics and is believed to have been the foundation of his immense wealth.
Political Career and Rise to Deputy President
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Member of Parliament: Ruto was first elected to Parliament in 1997 for the Eldoret North constituency, defeating Moi’s preferred incumbent. He quickly gained favor with Moi, serving briefly as Minister for Home Affairs in 2002.
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Coalition Government: After the disputed 2007 election and the subsequent formation of the Grand Coalition Government, Ruto served under President Mwai Kibaki as Minister for Agriculture (2008–2010) and Minister for Higher Education (2010).
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ICC Indictment: Following the 2007 post-election violence, Ruto was named, alongside Uhuru Kenyatta, as an alleged perpetrator by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. The charges were dropped in 2016 due to insufficient evidence, which the court linked to witness interference.
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Deputy President: In a strategic alliance forged under the shadow of the ICC, Ruto joined forces with Uhuru Kenyatta to form the Jubilee Alliance. They won the 2013 election, making Ruto the first elected Deputy President under the new 2010 Constitution.14 They were re-elected in 2017.
The Presidency (2022–Present)
Ruto’s second term as Deputy President was marred by a bitter, public fallout with President Kenyatta, leading him to launch his own successful presidential campaign in 2022.
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“Hustler Nation” Victory: Running on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket under the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, Ruto campaigned as the champion of the poor “Hustler Nation” against the entrenched political dynasties. He narrowly won the August 2022 election against his former partner Raila Odinga.
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Economic Focus: His administration has prioritized reversing the high cost of living, which he argues is a legacy of his predecessor, through his “bottom-up” economic model. Key initiatives include massive subsidies for agricultural inputs (like fertilizer) and the launch of the Hustler Fund to provide affordable credit to small businesses.
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Challenges: Ruto’s presidency has been characterized by significant challenges, including widespread public dissatisfaction over proposed tax increases intended to service Kenya’s heavy national debt. His moves to implement austerity and privatization have led to recurrent clashes with opposition parties and civil society groups.
William Ruto’s journey is one of the most remarkable political narratives in Kenyan history: a man who rose from the grassroots to the nation’s highest office, now tasked with reviving an economy struggling under the weight of debt and the expectations of his “hustler” base.