56 years ago, on december of the year 1966, William Samoei
Kipchirchir Arap Ruto, was born in Uasin Gishu county’s
Kamagut village, being the son of Daniel Cheruiyot and
Sarah cheruiyot. Ruto attended Karotet primary school,
Later on enrolling in Wareng secondary school, before
Proceeding to Kapsabet boys high school in nandi county.. He
Then went on to receive a BSC in Botany and zoology from
The University of Nairobi, graduating in 1990.
Ruto later enrolled for a masters degree in plant ecology,
Graduating in 2011, and the following year enrolling for a
Phd, which after several setbacks, graduated in december
2018. During his time in the campus for the undergraduate
Course, Ruto was an active member of the christian union,
Also serving as the chairman of the university of Nairobi's
Choir.
It is the church leadership activities that saw ruto meet
President Daniel Moi, who later introduced him to politics,
Specifically as a leader in the youth for KANU wing, famously
Known as yk92. In the 1997 general elections, ruto ran for
The Eldoret North parliamentary seat, managing to unseat
The incumbent Reuben Chesire, who was also Moi’s preferred
Candidate.
Ruto’s strong support for Moi’s preferred successor in the
2002 general elections saw him become, the assistant
Minister for home affairs, and later on being promoted to a
Full minister. Ruto’s good relationship with Moi contributed
To him being the only assistant minister attending the
Cabinet meetings.
Ruto in 2 thousan and five, was elected KANUsecretary
General, under the chairmanship of uhuru kenyatta. In 2006’s
ODM nominations for the presidential candidate, he finished
Third, after musalia mudavadi, with Raila Odinga emerging
First, who lead the party in the the 2007 presidential election
As the flag bearer. Ruto supported Odinga’s bid, while Uhuru
Kenyatta-led kanu moved to support mwai kibaki, who then
Emerged the winner. The post election violence which claimed
Many lives saw the then united nation’s secretary general
Koffi annan step in to extinguish the conflict, with Ruto
Serving as the minister for agriculture in Kibaki’s
Administration, being transferred to the higher education
Ministry in april 2010.
Ruto’s name was on the list of kenyans indicted to stand
Trial at the international criminal court icc in the hague,
For involvement kenya’s post election violence. The case
Against ruto was however dropped in april 2016, following
Withdrawal of key presecution witnesses.
Ruto joined hands with his earlier political enemy, uhuru
Kenyatta to form the jubilee government in 2013, where he
Served as deputy till 2022. In october 2014, ruto served as the
Acting president while president uihuru was at the hague.
Odinga disputed the uhuruto’s 54% win of 2017 elections,
Leading to the famous handshake that ignited endless
Disagreements between ruto and his boss, president
Kenyatta. Ruto used the opportunity to introduce an anti-
Dynasty narrative, that appeared to target the moi,
Kenyatta and Odinga family, gathering massive support
From kenyans who bought his idea of the bottom-up
Economy, which ruto associates with hustlers. On 9 th august
2022, ruto drove the united democratic alliance vehicle,
Under the kenya kwanza coalition, reaching the house on
The hill with 50.49 percent, defeating his main opponent,
Azimio la umoja’s Raila Odinga .
By Jacob Macheso
