William Ruto, the president-elect of Kenya, received congratulations from the president, Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday for winning the general elections on August 9, 2022.
He also praised Kenyans for the elections’ peaceful and open conclusion, which, in his opinion, shows that the democratic process, ideals, and principles continue to be the greatest means for the general public to choose their leaders and hold them accountable.
A statement titled “President Buhari congratulates William Ruto on his election as President of Kenya” and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, contains Buhari’s congratulations.
According to the President “Nigeria values Kenya as a strategic partner in the fight against terrorism and violence extremism, buoyed by a long history of friendship, economic and trade ties, and effective collaboration through international organizations such as the African Union, the United Nations, and the Commonwealth.”
While wishing Deputy President Ruto a successful inauguration and term in office, Buhari said he looks forward to more fruitful and robust engagements between the two countries on shared priorities like enhancing peace and security on the continent, democracy, and greater economic prosperity and social development.
He also praised President Uhuru Kenyatta for “his statesmanship and exemplary leadership to the people of Kenya in the past nine years and the profound legacies of his administration on infrastructure, education, healthcare reforms, and tourism as well as strong influence and support on regional security.”
Biography
William Ruto was born on December 21, 1966, in Sambut village, Kamagut, Uasin Gishu County in the country, Ruto had all his primary, secondary and tertiary education in Kenya. He bagged a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Zoology from the University of Nairobi, graduating in 1990. Ruto proceeded to obtain a Masters degree in Plant ecology, and graduated in 2011, topping it with a Doctorate degree from the University of Nairobi, and graduating on his birthday, December 21, 2018.
The 55-year-old is married to Rachel Chebet and they both have seven children.
Ruto worked as a teacher in the North Rift region of Kenya from 1990 to 1992, where he was also the leader of the local African Inland Church Choir.
He began his political career as the treasurer of the YK’92 campaign group that lobbied for the re-election of President Daniel Moi in 1992. He was believed to have learnt about Kenyan politics from there and also accumulated some wealth. Ruto became a Member of Parliament in 1998.
He was made Minister of Home Affairs in 2002 in the country and served for five months.
In January 2006, Ruto announced his intention to vie for the presidency in the 2007 Kenyan general election. This was said to have been met with condemnation from some of his colleagues including former President Moi. However, in the formation of the Cabinet in 2008 after the election was won, amid heated political crises, by Mwai Kibaki, Ruto was appointed the Minister for Agriculture.
Ruto was among the people indicted to stand trial at the International Criminal Court for their involvement in Kenya’s 2007/2008 political violence. He also became the Eldoret North’s Member of Parliament from 2008 to March 4, 2013.
In the 2013 presidential election, Ruto was elected the Deputy President alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta and served till 2022. He served as the acting President of Kenya between October 5 and 8, 2014 while President Kenyatta was away at the Hague.
