By Tereza Jeremiah Chuei
The Kenya’s Deputy President, William Ruto was yesterday declared as the 5th President of the Republic of Kenya by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) preceding his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ruto was one among the four Candidates’ that ran for the 2022 Kenyan Election, however Raila Odinga became his main rival among the others almost to outcompete him; however he managed at the last minutes to outshine his main competitor Mr. Odinga.
In July this year, the President-elect excluded confidence in winning the election with a strong belief that Kenya is a democratic Nation and that the election will not be tempered with.
What Ruto is known for?
He is known for being a prayerful man, much of which has been experienced in Sunday services while making monetary donation in Kenya.
Ruto is also known for his harsh criticism and takes on political opponents without blinking.
In February this Year, he sustained his attack against Odinga that he was too old to succeed the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ruto was born on 21st December 1966 in Sambut Village, Kamagut, and Uasin Gishu County in Kenya.
Born to Daniel Cheruiyot and Sarah Cheruiyot
Education Background
Ruto holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology (1990) and a Master of Science (2011) in Botany both from the University of Nairobi.
He enrolls for PhD at the University of Nairobi and graduated on 21st December 2018.
Before joining University, Ruto had attended Kerotet Primary School, for his Primary School Education,
He later enrolled in Wareng Secondary School for his Ordinary Levels education, before proceeding to Kapsabet Boys High School in Nandi County for his Advanced Levels.
Ruto has written a couple’s of essays including a piece tittle plant species Diversity, and composition of Two Wetlands in the Nairobi Park, Kenya. During his time in Campus for the undergraduate course, Ruto was an active member of the Christian Union; he also served as the Chairperson of University of Nairobi’s Choir,
Political Background
Ruto is considered a self-made politician who at some point sold peanut and eggs along Eldorate highway to help support his Family in 1992.
Ruto got into politics as the organizing secretary of Youth for the Kenya African National Union, this was a political outfit (Youth for Kanu ’92 (YK92) successfully campaigned, for the Re-election of the Former President Daniel Arap Moi in 1992.
Between 1997 and 2013, Ruto served as a Member of Parliament for Eldorate North Constituency, he was a key pillar in the re-election of President Daniel Moi and Uhuru Kenyatta’s Bid to lead the Kenya Africa Union (KANU) in 2002.
In 2007, the former Grand coalition government handed Mr. Ruto the Post of Minister for Agriculture and later was transferred from the position in 2010.