William Ruto Biography

William Ruto Biography, Background and Profile of UDA Party Leader

President William Ruto is a powerful Kenyan politician and tycoon businessman. He is an admiral with a touching life story of a hustler turned billionaire and Commander in Chief. Dr William Ruto biography speaks about his unceasing wealth, family, and unwavering leadership in UDA Party.

Ruto is a man of tact in politics and a serial investor to watch closely. The amount he donates in religious and community-based projects says more about his deep pockets.

William Samoei Ruto profile summary

Real nameWilliam Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto
NicknameHustler, Tanga Tanga
Date of birthDecember 21, 1966
Birth signSagittarius
Place of birthSambut Village, Kamagut, Uasin Gishu
Ruto wifeRachel Chebet (Rael)
Married1991
Children7 Daughters & sons
Net WorthKsh. 40 billion

The self proclaimed hustler is famous for rising from the humble beginnings to the 11th deputy president and 5th president of Kenya.

President William Ruto biography

The high profile man from Rift Valley is an academician and a fluent public speaker.

Most importantly, he is a happily married man and a responsible father of seven.

Ruto’s age and ancestry

How old is Ruto? Born on December 21st, 1966, Dr William Ruto age is 58 years as of 2024. He is of a Kalenjin tribe from Sambut Village in Kamagut, Uasin Gishu County.

Is William Ruto a Nandi or Kipsigis? The hustler nation kingpin is of Kipsigis origin. He comes from the Komosi clan, Sigowet-Soin.

Dr William Ruto education background

Ruto started schooling at Kerotet Primary School from where he excelled in the Certificate of Primary Education, 1982.

He proceeded to Wareng Secondary for ordinary levels and later Kapsabet Boys High School for advanced classes.

William Ruto received admission to the University of Nairobi. In 1990, he received his BSc—degree in Botany and Zoology from the university.

He graduated in 2011 with an MSc in Plant Ecology and later a PhD from the University of Nairobi.

Then came the precious doctoral title on December 21, 2018.

William Ruto career profile

Ruto met his political godfather and former president, the late Daniel Arap Moi, through his activeness in church activities.

Soon after, he joined Youth for KANU ’92, also called YK’92, in favour of Moi’s 1992 re-election.

In the end, YK’92 was banned for promoting hooliganism, ethnic violence, and money laundering through expensive campaigns.

1. KANU Party

Ruto won against Reuben Chesire in the 1997 Kenyan General Election. The victory brought him even closer to the government.

As a result, President Moi appointed Ruto the Director of Elections in the KANU party.

In 2002, Ruto rallied behind Uhuru Kenyatta. He ended up a minister of Home Affair in the Mwai Kibaki Regime.

Ruto became KANU’s secretary-general in 2005 while Uhuru served as its chair.

In the same year, Kenya held a dividing constitutional referendum for which KANU had no goodwill.

The referendum sprung into a vibrant political party headed by Raila Odinga. In 2006, Ruto declared interest in becoming president.

KANU stakeholders such as Moi moved in quickly against Ruto’s interest in the presidency.

2. ODM Party

Ruto sought the ODM party nomination ahead of the 2007 General Elections.

Unfortunately, Ruto lost to Raila Amollo Odinga. He resigned from KANU for his new home in ODM.

3. The Coalition Government

Ruto served under President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a Minister of Agriculture and thereafter Higher Education.

In 2008, he became a Member of Parliament in Eldoret North Constituency.

4. Dr William Ruto in Jubilee Alliance

Ruto of the United Republic Party (URP) joined with Uhuru Kenyatta of The National Alliance Party (TNA) to form the Jubilee Alliance Party.

JAP successfully took part in the 2013 General Elections amid the ICC charges at The Hague.

5. The International Criminal Court case

President Uhuru and deputy Ruto were among the Kenyans convicted at the ICC for alleged involvement in the 2007 post-election violence.

Other top figures mentioned in the case were: Henry Kiprono Kosgey, Francis Kirimi Muthaura, and Major General Mohammed Hussein Ali.

Ruto particularly faced charges on crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and forcible population transfer. ICC eventually closed files in April 2016.

William Ruto family background

Ruto is the son of Sarah Cheruiyot and Daniel Cheruiyot. His parents were peasant farmers in his childhood and middle years.

Who is the father of William Samoei Ruto? William Ruto father is Mzee Daniel Cheruiyot. On the other hand, William Ruto mother is Sarah Cheruiyot.

William Samoei Ruto brothers and sisters include Paul Maritim, Harisson Ruto, and Samuel Ruto.

Spouse Rachel Chebet

Ruto met Rachel Chebet in 1991 and lived with her at Dagoretti South in the early years of their relationship.

Rachel was formerly a teacher before she gave up her dreams to focus on her marriage.

She is lately notorious for her involvement in religious matters and women empowerment courses.

William Ruto children

Ruto and Rachael have seven children together, including the adopted Nadia. William Ruto daughters and sons include;

  1. Nick Ruto
  2. June Ruto
  3. Stephanie Ruto
  4. George Kimutai Ruto
  5. Charlene Chelagat Ruto
  6. Abby Ruto
  7. Nadia Ruto (adopted child)

The seven are a treasure in the hustler’s empire, with Nick Ruto as the firstborn son.

William Ruto wealth

Ruto’s net worth is valued at Ksh. 40 billion, with most of the wealth streaming from seven-figure salary and investment returns.

William Ruto Salary is Ksh. 1.5 million excluding allowances which raise the amount to about Ksh. 15 million.

President William Ruto biography portrays him as a notable political figure with millions of supporters and an admirable family by his side.