William Ruto

William Ruto
Name	William Ruto
Caption	Ruto in 2022
Office	5th President of Kenya
Vicepresident	Rigathi Gachagua
Term start	13 September 2022
Predecessor	Uhuru Kenyatta
Office2	Deputy President of Kenya
President2	Uhuru Kenyatta
Term start2	9 April 2013
Term end2	13 September 2022
Predecessor2	Kalonzo Musyoka (Vice President)
Successor2	Rigathi Gachagua
Office3	Minister for Agriculture
President3	Mwai Kibaki
Term start3	2008
Term end3	2010
Office4	Member of Parliament for Eldoret North
Term start4	1997
Term end4	2013
Predecessor4	Reuben Chesire
Party	United Democratic Alliance (2021–present)
Otherparty	Kenya African National Union (before 2005), Orange Democratic Movement (2005–2012), United Republican Party (2012–2016), Jubilee Party (2016–2021)
Spouse	Rachel Ruto
Alma mater	University of Nairobi (BSc, MSc), University of Nairobi Law School
Religion	Evangelicalism

William Ruto is the fifth and current President of Kenya, having assumed office on 13 September 2022 after winning the 2022 Kenyan general election. His political journey spans decades, rising from a Member of Parliament to Deputy President of Kenya under Uhuru Kenyatta before his successful presidential bid. Ruto's tenure is defined by a focus on economic transformation, a realignment of foreign policy, and navigating complex domestic political dynamics.

Early life and education

William Ruto was born on 21 December 1966 in Kamagut, Uasin Gishu County, within the Rift Valley Province. He attended Kerotet Primary School and later Wareng High School in Eldoret for his secondary education. For his higher education, he enrolled at the University of Nairobi, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in botany and zoology in 1990. He later pursued a Master of Science in plant ecology from the same institution, followed by studies at the University of Nairobi Law School, though he did not complete a legal degree. His early career included a stint as a teacher and involvement in local Pentecostal church activities, which helped build his initial public profile in the North Rift region.

Political career

Ruto's political career began in earnest with his election as Member of Parliament for the Eldoret North Constituency in the 1997 Kenyan general election, representing the Kenya African National Union. He became a prominent figure in the opposition during the constitutional reform debates of the early 2000s, aligning with Raila Odinga in the Orange Democratic Movement to campaign against the 2005 constitutional referendum. He served as Minister for Agriculture under President Mwai Kibaki from 2008 to 2010. A pivotal shift occurred in 2012 when he formed the United Republican Party and forged a strategic alliance with Uhuru Kenyatta, leading to their victory in the 2013 Kenyan general election with Ruto as Deputy President. This partnership continued under the Jubilee Party banner for the 2017 Kenyan general election. The later years of the Kenyatta presidency saw a notable rift, prompting Ruto to form the United Democratic Alliance as his vehicle for the 2022 presidential race.

Presidency

William Ruto was sworn in as President at Kasarani Stadium on 13 September 2022, following a closely contested election where the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld his victory against a petition filed by opponent Raila Odinga. His administration, under the "Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda," has emphasized shifting power and resources to ordinary citizens, or "hustlers." Key early actions included significant reductions in cabinet and government spending, and a contentious push to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. His presidency has navigated challenges such as nationwide anti-government protests over the 2023 Finance Act and a severe drought crisis affecting the Horn of Africa.

Economic policies

The cornerstone of Ruto's economic agenda is the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Model, which prioritizes micro, small, and medium enterprises, agriculture, and affordable housing. His administration has pursued a platform of fiscal consolidation, introducing new taxes and removing subsidies on petroleum products and maize flour to address public debt and reduce the budget deficit. Key legislative initiatives include the Affordable Housing Act and the Social Health Insurance Act, aimed at creating jobs and expanding universal health care. These policies have drawn both praise for their ambition and criticism from bodies like the International Monetary Fund and domestic groups such as the Kenya Human Rights Commission for increasing the cost of living.

Foreign policy

President Ruto has pursued an assertive and pragmatic foreign policy, seeking to elevate Kenya's role on the global stage. He has strengthened ties with traditional partners like the United States and the United Kingdom while actively deepening engagement with the Gulf states, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. A significant shift has been his critical stance towards the DRC conflict, diverging from the regional approach of the East African Community. Ruto has been a vocal advocate for climate finance reform in forums like the COP summits and the African Union, and has committed Kenyan troops to lead a multinational security mission in Haiti, underscoring the country's commitment to United Nations peacekeeping.

Personal life

William Ruto is married to Rachel Ruto, an advocate for women's empowerment and environmental conservation through her Mama Doing Good initiative. The couple has seven children. A devout Evangelical Christian, his faith is a central aspect of his public persona, often referenced in speeches. He owns a substantial real estate portfolio and commercial farms, primarily in the Rift Valley. His hobbies include playing volleyball and he is known to be an avid reader. His background, often contrasted with the political dynasties of his predecessors, forms a key part of his narrative as a "hustler" who rose from modest beginnings.

Category:Presidents of Kenya Category:1966 births Category:Living people