{{Short description|President of Kenya since 2022}} {{pp-blp|small=yes}} {{Use British English|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = His Excellency | name = William Ruto | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=KEN|CGH|size=100%}} | image = President Ruto Potrait 2022 (cropped).jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2022 | order = 5th | office = President of Kenya | deputy = {{ubl|Rigathi Gachagua<br/>(2022–2024)|Kithure Kindiki<br/>(2024–present)}} | term_start = 13 September 2022 | predecessor = Uhuru Kenyatta | successor = | order1 = 11th | office1 = Deputy President of Kenya | president1 = Uhuru Kenyatta | term_start1 = 9 April 2013 | term_end1 = 13 September 2022 | predecessor1 = Kalonzo Musyoka | successor1 = Rigathi Gachagua | office2 = Minister for Higher Education | president2 = Mwai Kibaki | prime_minister2 = Raila Odinga | term_start2 = 21 April 2010 | term_end2 = 19 October 2010 | predecessor2 = Sally Kosgei | successor2 = Hellen Jepkemoi Sambili (acting) | office3 = 16th Minister for Agriculture | president3 = Mwai Kibaki | prime_minister3 = Raila Odinga | term_start3 = 17 April 2008 | term_end3 = 21 April 2010 | predecessor3 = Kipruto Arap Kirwa | successor3 = Sally Kosgei | office4 = Minister for Home Affairs | president4 = Daniel arap Moi | term_start4 = 30 August 2002 | term_end4 = December 2002 | predecessor4 = George Saitoti | successor4 = Moody Awori | office5 = Member of Parliament<br/>for Eldoret North | term_start5 = 29 December 1997 | term_end5 = 9 April 2013 | predecessor5 = Reuben Chesire | successor5 = Constituency abolished | birth_name = William Kipchirchir Arap Ruto | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|12|21|df=y}} | birth_place = Kamagut, Kenya | death_date = | death_place = | party = United Democratic Alliance (2021–present) | other_party = {{Plainlist| *Kenya African National Union (before 2005) *Orange Democratic Movement (2005–2011) *United Republican Party (2012–2016) *Jubilee Party (2016–2021)}} | spouse = {{marriage|Rachel Chebet|1991}} | relations = | children = 7, including Charlene | education = {{ubl|BSc|MSc|PhD}} | signature = Ruto Signature.svg | alma_mater = {{ubl|University of Nairobi}} }} '''William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto''' {{Audio|En-us-William Ruto.wav|pronunciation}} {{post-nominals|country=KEN|CGH}} (born 21 December 1966) is a Kenyan politician who is the fifth and current president of Kenya since 13 September 2022. Prior to becoming president, he served as the first elected deputy president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 August 2022 |title=Kenya's deputy president Ruto declared election winner |url=https://apnews.com/article/africa-elections-presidential-kenya-41cec0a771a1fe7f0f5a0e83761b03a9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815152514/https://apnews.com/article/africa-elections-presidential-kenya-41cec0a771a1fe7f0f5a0e83761b03a9 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 May 2022 |title=The Office Of The Deputy President, Kenya |url=https://deputypresident.go.ke/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531085138/https://deputypresident.go.ke/ |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=17 May 2022 |work=deputypresident.go.ke}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 May 2022 |title=William Ruto |url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/william-ruto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531092227/https://www.kenyans.co.ke/william-ruto |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=17 May 2022 |work=kenyans.co.ke}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 May 2022 |title=Kenya General Election Results (2013) |url=https://www.iebc.or.ke/election/?election-results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531132715/https://www.iebc.or.ke/election/?election-results |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=17 May 2022 |work=iebc.or.ke}}</ref> He previously served in three cabinet portfolios as the Minister for Home Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture and as Minister for Higher Education.
Ruto was elected Member of Parliament for Eldoret North constituency from 1997 to 2007 under the KANU, and from 2007 to 2013 through the ODM party. He was the Minister for Home Affairs in the Daniel arap Moi administration from August to December 2002. Under the Mwai Kibaki administration, he was the Minister for Agriculture from 2008 to 2010 and Minister for Higher Education from April to October 2010. Ruto first contested for the presidency during the 2007 election, but lost to Raila Odinga on the ODM party primaries; together with Musalia Mudavadi, who finished second, he then supported the candidature of Odinga. He again ran for the presidency on the 2013 election, but withdrew his candidature in favour of Uhuru Kenyatta. He was later nominated to run for the deputy presidency in the 2013 election under the United Republican Party, becoming the running mate of Uhuru Kenyatta from The National Alliance (TNA). He was re-elected to the deputy presidency under the Jubilee Party in the 2017 Kenyan general election. Following a political fallout, Kenyatta endorsed Raila Odinga as his preferred successor.
Ruto, now running under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), defeated Odinga for the presidency in the 2022 election. While the election was largely described as fair by the African Union and other international missions, it was contested by Odinga’s allies, who alleged electoral fraud. However, the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld the results, ruling that the allegations lacked sufficient evidence to invalidate the outcome.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kenya Supreme Court upholds Ruto's presidential victory |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenyas-top-court-rule-disputed-presidential-election-2022-09-04/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241213001341/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenyas-top-court-rule-disputed-presidential-election-2022-09-04/ |archive-date=2024-12-13 |access-date=2026-02-03 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wangari |first1=Stephanie |title=Four IEBC Commissioners distance themselves from final stage of presidential poll tallying |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001453314/four-iebc-commissioners-distance-themselves-from-final-stage-of-presidential-poll-tallying |website=Nation |access-date=17 August 2022 |date=15 August 2022 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817025937/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001453314/four-iebc-commissioners-distance-themselves-from-final-stage-of-presidential-poll-tallying |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=William Ruto: Kenya's newest president |first=Chrispin|last=Mwakideu |url=https://www.dw.com/en/william-ruto-from-hustler-to-kenyas-newest-president/a-62793261 |website=Deutsche Welle|date=13 September 2022|access-date=12 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
President Ruto has elevated Kenya’s geopolitical profile, positioning the country as a strategic partner for Western powers while championing pan-African interests. Under his leadership, Kenya became the first sub-Saharan African nation to be designated as a Major Non-NATO Ally by the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=US names Kenya as major ally in face of growing Russian influence |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv22nd9pdwwo |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-12 |title=Designation of Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/07/12/2024-15482/designation-of-kenya-as-a-major-non-nato-ally |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Federal Register |language=en}}</ref> He is also an advocate for climate justice and global financial reform, chairing the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in 2023, which resulted in the Nairobi Declaration, a call for a global carbon tax and a more equitable international debt system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anna |first=-Cara |last2=Anna |first2=Associated Press Cara |last3=Press |first3=Associated |date=2023-09-06 |title=African Climate Summit issues unanimous call for world leaders to support global carbon tax on fossil fuels |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/african-climate-summit-issues-unanimous-call-for-world-leaders-to-support-global-carbon-tax-on-fossil-fuels |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nairobi Declaration makes strong push for accelerated climate action and financing mechanisms |url=https://www.un.org/en/information-center-nairobi/nairobi-declaration-makes-strong-push-accelerated-climate-action-and |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=United Nations |language=en}}</ref>
Regionally, Ruto has played a key role as a mediator in East African conflicts, through the Nairobi Process<ref>{{Cite web |title=EAC-LED NAIROBI PROCESS |url=https://www.eac.int/nairobiprocess |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=www.eac.int}}</ref> aimed at ending the insurgency in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and his involvement in the Sudan peace talks. Domestically, his administration has built the Talanta Sports City stadium project and spearheaded the National Tree Growing Restoration campaign, which aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to combat climate change and restore Kenya's forest cover.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-27 |title=Kenya Invites CAF Inspection After Criticism Over Infrastructure Readiness for AFCON 2027 - Kenyans.co.ke |url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/120208-kenya-invites-caf-inspection-after-criticism-over-infrastructure-readiness-afcon-2027 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=www.kenyans.co.ke |language=en}}</ref> In June 2024, Ruto's proposed finance bill was the subject of protests in which at least 22 people were killed, causing Ruto to back down and withdraw the bill.
== Early life and education ==
A member of the Kalenjin people from the Rift Valley region,<ref>{{Citation |title=History of the Kalenjin people |date=2026-02-03 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_the_Kalenjin_people&oldid=1336365765 |access-date=2026-02-05 |language=en}}</ref> William Ruto is of mixed Kipsigis and Nandi heritage. His father, Daniel Cheruiyot, hailed from the ''Kapkomoseek'' clan of the Kipsigis in Kericho, while his mother, Sarah Cheruiyot, (familiarly known as '''Mama Sarah''<nowiki/>') of Nandi descent.<ref>{{cite web |title=William Samoei Arap Ruto |url=https://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/3440/William_Ruto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530195542/https://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/3440/William_Ruto |archive-date=30 May 2022 |access-date=30 July 2017 |publisher=Africa Confidential}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 February 2023 |title=The President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces |url=https://www.president.go.ke/administration/office-of-the-president/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831123709/https://www.president.go.ke/administration/office-of-the-president/ |archive-date=31 August 2024 |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=Office of the President |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Musambi |first=Evelyne |date=15 August 2022 |title=William Ruto's rise from chicken seller to Kenya's president-elect |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-24017899 |access-date=24 August 2022 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Education ===
Ruto started his education at Kamagut Primary School, then transferred to Kerotet Primary School—both situated within the Uasin Gishu County; and he sat for his Certificate of Primary Education at the latter. He then proceeded to Wareng Secondary School, still in Uasin Gishu County, and later Kapsabet High School in Nandi County, where he obtained his Ordinary Level and Advanced Level education respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2023 |title=William Ruto |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/people/william-ruto-3809570 |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=Nation |language=en}}</ref>
He then enrolled at the University of Nairobi to pursue Botany and Zoology, graduating in 1990 with a BSc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maringa |first=George |title=For first time in Kenya, two PhD holders are at helm of military command |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001455838/for-first-time-in-kenya-two-phd-holders-are-at-helm-of-military-command |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref> He went on to complete an MSc in Plant Ecology, also from the University of Nairobi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2011 |title=Biological and physico-chemical status of two wetlands in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya |url=http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/11295/14540/Ruto_Biological%20and%20physico-chemical%20status%20of%20two%20wetlands%20in%20the%20Nairobi%20National%20Park.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815152514/https://apnews.com/article/africa-elections-presidential-kenya-41cec0a771a1fe7f0f5a0e83761b03a9 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=28 January 2023 |website=UoN Digital Repository Home|language=en}}</ref> The year after his graduation, he enrolled for a Ph.D. at the same university, and after several setbacks,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 December 2016 |title=I failed Ph.D. exam, admits DP William Ruto |url=https://businesstoday.co.ke/why-dp-william-ruto-failed-to-get-phd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221192932/https://businesstoday.co.ke/why-dp-william-ruto-failed-to-get-phd/ |archive-date=21 December 2018 |access-date=20 December 2018 |website=Business Today}}</ref> he completed and graduated on 21 December 2018.
Ruto authored several papers, including one titled ''Plant Species Diversity and Composition of Two Wetlands in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ruto |first1=W. K. S. |date=2 November 2012 |title=Plant Species Diversity and Composition of Two Wetlands in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya |url=https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JOWE/article/view/5909 |url-status=live |journal=Journal of Wetlands Ecology |language=en-US |volume=6 |pages=7–15 |doi=10.3126/jowe.v6i0.5909 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221230352/https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JOWE/article/view/5909 |archive-date=21 December 2018 |access-date=21 December 2018|doi-access=free }}</ref>
During his time in the campus for his undergraduate education, Ruto was an active member of the Christian Union. He also served as the Chairman of the University of Nairobi's choir.<ref name="k24profile">{{cite web |first=Joel |last=Muinde |date=21 July 2019 |title=A brief profile of DP William Ruto: PHOTOS |url=https://www.k24tv.co.ke/news/a-brief-profile-of-dp-william-ruto-photos-3365/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531152910/https://www.k24tv.co.ke/news/a-brief-profile-of-dp-william-ruto-photos-3365/ |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=29 April 2020 |website=K24}}</ref> Through his church activities at the University of Nairobi, he met President Daniel arap Moi, who would later introduce him to politics during the 1992 general elections.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |last=Fayo |first=G |date=18 May 2022 |title=How shy Ruto rose from a CU leader to money, power |url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/how-shy-ruto-rose-from-a-cu-leader-to-money-power--2029316 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602114221/https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/how-shy-ruto-rose-from-a-cu-leader-to-money-power--2029316 |archive-date=2 June 2022 |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=The Business Daily}}</ref>
==Political career==
After graduating from the University of Nairobi in 1990, Ruto was employed as a temporary teacher in the North Rift region of Kenya from 1990 to 1992, where he was also a leader of the local church choir, the Africa Inland Church (AIC).<ref name="auto2"/>
===YK'92===
Ruto began his political career when he became the treasurer of the YK'92 campaign group that was lobbying for the re-election of President Moi in 1992, from which he learned the basics of Kenyan politics.<ref name="k24profile"/><ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |last=Hull |first=C. Bryson |date=11 January 2008 |title=Ghost of Moi surfaces in Kenya's violence |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-crisis-forest-idUSHUL08142020080111 |work=Reuters |access-date=16 December 2020 |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531195242/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-crisis-forest-idUSHUL08142020080111 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is also believed to have accumulated some wealth in this period.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite news |date=9 September 2013 |title=William Ruto: Kenya's deputy president |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-24017899 |access-date=29 April 2020 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816133042/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-24017899 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the 1992 elections, President Moi disbanded YK'92 and Ruto unsuccessfully vied for various branch-level positions in KANU, which was at that time Kenya's ruling party.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/How-Moi-created-then-decimated-youth-lobby/1064-3245816-gclqn8z/index.html|title = How Moi created then decimated youth lobby|work=Nation|first=Kipchumba|last=Some|date = 3 July 2020|access-date = 29 April 2020|archive-date = 3 August 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200803015115/https://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/How-Moi-created-then-decimated-youth-lobby/1064-3245816-gclqn8z/index.html|url-status = live}}</ref>
===Member of Parliament===
Ruto ran for a parliamentary seat in the 1997 general election. He surprisingly beat the incumbent, Reuben Chesire, Moi's preferred candidate, as well as the Uasin Gishu KANU branch chairman and assistant minister.<ref>Courting the Kalenjin: The Failure of Dynasticism and the Strength of the ODM Wave in Kenya's Rift Valley Province, Gabrielle Lynch, African Affairs, Vol. 107, No. 429 (Oct. 2008), pp. 541–568</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-02-04-mzee-moi-was-vicious-interesting-fellow-dp-ruto/|title=Mzee Moi was 'vicious', interesting fellow – DP Ruto|website=The Star|access-date=29 April 2020|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205165148/https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-02-04-mzee-moi-was-vicious-interesting-fellow-dp-ruto/|url-status=live}}</ref> He later gained favour with Moi and was appointed KANU Director of Elections.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2000071980/how-ruto-rose-to-be-influential-personality-in-kenyan-politics|title=How Ruto rose to be influential personality in Kenyan politics|first=-Beauttah|last=Omanga|website=The Standard (Kenya)|access-date=16 December 2020|archive-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605041814/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2000071980/how-ruto-rose-to-be-influential-personality-in-kenyan-politics|url-status=live}}</ref> His strong support in 2002 for Moi's preferred successor, Uhuru Kenyatta, saw him get a place as assistant minister in the Home Affairs (Interior) ministry. Later in that election, when some government ministers resigned to join the opposition, he was promoted to full Cabinet Minister.<ref name="auto4"/> KANU lost the election but he retained his parliamentary seat. Ruto was elected KANU Secretary General in 2005, with Uhuru Kenyatta elected as chairman.<ref name="auto"/>
In 2005, Kenya held a referendum on a new constitution, which KANU opposed.<ref name="k24profile"/> Some members of the ruling NARC coalition government, mainly former KANU ministers who had joined the opposition coalition in 2002 under the LDP banner and who were disgruntled as President Mwai Kibaki had not honored a pre-election MoU<ref>{{cite web |last=Wanga |first=Justus |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/matere-keriri-why-we-broke-the-famous-mou-with-raila-3537392 |title=Matere Kerri: Why we broke the famous MoU with Raila |work=The Nation |date=4 September 2021 |access-date=18 May 2022 |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518172629/https://nation.africa/kenya/news/matere-keriri-why-we-broke-the-famous-mou-with-raila-3537392 |url-status=live }}</ref> on power-sharing and creation of a Prime Minister post, joined KANU to oppose the proposed constitution.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/nov/22/kenya.davidfickling|title=Kenyans say no to new constitution|newspaper=The Guardian |date=22 November 2005|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=29 April 2020|archive-date=27 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527204702/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/nov/22/kenya.davidfickling|url-status=live |last1=Fickling |first1=David }}</ref> Since the symbol of the "No" vote was an Orange, this new grouping named their movement the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Ruto was part of its top brass, dubbed the Pentagon. He solidified his voter base in the Rift Valley Province. ODM was victorious in the referendum.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.cmi.no/publications/2368-of-oranges-and-bananas|title=Of Oranges and Bananas: The 2005 Kenya Referendum on the Constitution|first1=Bård Anders|last1=Andreassen|first2=Arne|last2=Tostensen|date=16 December 2006|journal=CMI Working Paper|volume=WP 2006: 13|via=www.cmi.no|access-date=29 April 2020|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220200439/https://www.cmi.no/publications/2368-of-oranges-and-bananas|url-status=live}}</ref>
In January 2006, Ruto declared publicly that he would vie for the presidency in the next general election (2007). His statement was condemned by some of his KANU colleagues, including former president Moi. By this time, ODM had morphed into a political party.<ref name="k24profile"/> Ruto sought the nomination of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as its presidential candidate, but on 1 September 2007, he placed third with 368 votes. The winner was Raila Odinga with 2,656 votes and the runner-up was Musalia Mudavadi with 391.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200709010028.html |title=Kenya: It's Raila for President |newspaper=East African Standard |date=1 September 2007 |via=AllAfrica.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231155/http://allafrica.com/stories/200709010028.html |archive-date=26 September 2007}}</ref> Ruto expressed his support for Odinga after the vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200709030718.html |title=Kenya: ODM 'Pentagon' Promises to Keep the Team Intact |first=Maina |last=Muiruri |newspaper=East African Standard |date=2 September 2007 |via=AllAfrica.com |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref> As KANU under Uhuru Kenyatta moved to support Kibaki,<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://nation.africa/kenya|title=Nation – Breaking News, Kenya, Africa, Politics, Business, Sports | HOME|website=Nation|access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021061520/http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/buzz/-/441236/468006/-/id9wc4z/-/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> he resigned from his post as KANU secretary general on 6 October 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200710070033.html |title=Kenya: Ruto Abandons Kanu's Top Post |first=Abiya |last=Ochola |newspaper=East African Standard |date=7 October 2007 |via=AllAfrica.com |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>
[[File: Clinton in Kenya.jpg|thumb|left|U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (center) walks with Minister of Agriculture William Ruto (left) and environmental and political activist Wangari Maathai (right) during a tour of the Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) near Nairobi, 5 August 2009.]] The presidential election of December 2007 ended in an impasse. Kenya's electoral commission declared Kibaki the winner, but Raila and ODM claimed the victory. Mwai Kibaki was hurriedly sworn in as the president of the December 2007 presidential election. Following the election and the dispute over the result, Kenya was engulfed by a violent political crisis. Kibaki and Odinga agreed to form a power-sharing government.<ref name=PM>{{Cite news |title=Odinga sworn in as Kenya PM |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2008/4/17/odinga-sworn-in-as-kenya-pm |website=Al Jazeera |date=17 April 2008 |access-date=11 June 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526092152/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E991FAE0-2FD8-4B72-AFE7-0C2B1F9E89FC.htm |archive-date=26 May 2008}}</ref><ref name=Names>Anthony Kariuki, [http://politics.nationmedia.com/inner.asp?pcat=NEWS&cat=TOP&sid=1787 "Kibaki names Raila PM in new Cabinet"]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, nationmedia.com, 13 April 2008.</ref> In the grand coalition Cabinet named on 13 April 2008<ref name=Names/> and sworn in on 17 April,<ref name=PM/> Ruto was appointed as Minister for Agriculture.<ref name=Names/> Ruto also became the Eldoret North's Member of Parliament from 2008 to 4 March 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://info.mzalendo.com/person/william-ruto/experience/|title=William Ruto, EGH, EBS|website=Mzalendo|language=en|access-date=6 December 2019|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206101649/https://info.mzalendo.com/person/william-ruto/experience/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ruto was among the list of people who were indicted to stand trial at the ICC for their involvement in Kenya's 2007/2008 political violence. However, the ICC case was faced with challenges, especially concerning the withdrawal of key prosecution witnesses. In April 2016, the Court dropped the charges against Ruto.<ref name="theguardian1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/international-criminal-court-william-ruto-kenya-deputy-president-election-violence|title=International criminal court abandons case against William Ruto|date=5 April 2016|access-date=6 April 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Owen|last=Bowcott|archive-date=5 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405192821/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/05/international-criminal-court-william-ruto-kenya-deputy-president-election-violence|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 21 April 2010, Ruto was transferred from the Agriculture Ministry and posted to the Higher Education Ministry, swapping posts with Sally Kosgei.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kenya's cabinet reshuffled|url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/kenyas-cabinet-reshuffled-481375 |website=iol.co.za |agency=South African Press Association–AFP |date=21 April 2010 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref> On 24 August 2011, Ruto was relieved of his ministerial duties but remained a member of parliament. He joined with Uhuru Kenyatta to form the Jubilee alliance for the 2013 presidential election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 December 2012 |title=Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto confirm Kenyan alliance |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-20578837 |access-date=15 June 2023}}</ref>
==Deputy presidency==
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being seen off by the Deputy President of Kenya, Mr. William Ruto, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in Nairobi, Kenya on July 11, 2016.jpg|thumb|right|Ruto with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016]]
===Acting president===
On 6 October 2014, Ruto was appointed acting president of Kenya by the then President Uhuru Kenyatta following his summons to appear before the ICC. He served in the role between 6 and 9 October 2014 while President Kenyatta was away at The Hague. When he officially handed over power to Ruto at the Parliament on 6 October, Uhuru explained, "To protect the sovereignty of the Republic of Kenya, I will sign a legal notice appointing Hon William Ruto as acting president while I attend the status conference."<ref>{{Cite news|title=The day William Ruto was president for 48 hours|work=The Standard (Kenya)|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/local-news/2001258073/asante-kwa-kuchunga-kiti-the-day-william-ruto-was-president-for-48-hours?amp=1|access-date=9 January 2022|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109202152/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/local-news/2001258073/asante-kwa-kuchunga-kiti-the-day-william-ruto-was-president-for-48-hours?amp=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the August 2017 General Elections, Uhuru and Ruto were declared victors after garnering 54% of the total votes cast. However, the Supreme Court of Kenya nullified the election, and a fresh election was held in October 2017. The opposition boycotted the fresh election and Uhuru and Ruto were re-elected with 98% of the total votes cast. The Supreme Court upheld the results of this second election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/20/kenya-supreme-court-upholds-repeat-presidential-vote.html|title=Kenya's Supreme Court upholds repeat presidential vote|date=20 November 2017|website=CNBC|access-date=8 April 2020|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030235651/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/20/kenya-supreme-court-upholds-repeat-presidential-vote.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Presidential campaign===
In December 2020 Ruto announced his alliance with the newly formed United Democratic Alliance party.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 January 2021|title=Kenya: Has Deputy President Ruto joined the new UDA Party?|url=https://www.theafricareport.com/58519/kenya-has-deputy-president-ruto-joined-the-new-uda-party/|access-date=12 November 2021|website=The Africa Report.com|language=en-US|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411194837/https://www.theafricareport.com/58519/kenya-has-deputy-president-ruto-joined-the-new-uda-party/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Kibor|first=Fred|title=Rift MPs: Ruto will use UDA to contest for presidency in 2022|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001399585/rift-mps-ruto-will-use-uda-to-contest-for-presidency-in-2022|access-date=12 November 2021|website=The Standard (Kenya)|language=en|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204012104/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001399585/rift-mps-ruto-will-use-uda-to-contest-for-presidency-in-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the only presidential candidate to attend the second part of the 2022 presidential debate.<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Winfrey|last1=Owino|first2=Betty|last2=Njeru|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001451703/moderators-place-ruto-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place-during-debate|title=Moderators place DP William Ruto between a rock and a hard place during debate|website=The Standard (Kenya)|language=en|access-date=28 July 2022|quote=United Democratic Alliance presidential candidate William Ruto was the only candidate who took part in the second tier of the debate, after his main rival, Raila Odinga, of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition skipped.|archive-date=18 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818095626/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001451703/moderators-place-ruto-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place-during-debate|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 15 August 2022, six days after the general election held on 9 August, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chair Wafula Chebukati announced that Ruto had won the presidential election, defeating candidate Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja party. Ruto received 50.49% of the valid votes cast, while Odinga received 48.85%.<ref>{{cite news |first1= Stephanie |last1= Busari |first2= Bethlehem |last2= Feleke |first3= Larry |last3= Madowo |title= Kenya's top court confirms William Ruto's victory in presidential vote |work= CNN |date= 5 September 2022 |url= https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/05/africa/supreme-court-kenya-elections-intl/index.html }}</ref>
Odinga disputed the presidential election results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, and he challenged the results with the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news |first= Damian |last= Zane |date= 22 August 2022 |title= Kenya election: Raila Odinga challenges William Ruto win in Supreme Court |work= BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62631193 }}</ref> On 5 September, the Supreme Court judges unanimously found that evidence presented by Odinga's campaign inconclusive and upheld the election of Ruto as the winner of the election.<ref>{{cite news |first= Cana |last= Anna |title= Kenya's Supreme Court upholds Ruto's narrow presidential win |work= Associated Press |date= 5 September 2022 |url= https://apnews.com/article/africa-elections-presidential-kenya-uhuru-kenyatta-c9f2ccef66f2267fe4aee0afdb8c9acc }}</ref> In response to the ruling, Odinga said he respected the Supreme Court's decision even though he strongly disagreed with it.<ref>{{cite news |first1= Andres |last1= Schipani |first2= David |last2= Pilling |title= William Ruto's election victory upheld by Kenya's supreme court |work= Financial Times |date= 5 September 2022 |url= https://www.ft.com/content/586c8f9f-2f35-40c3-a622-fa523201a6e0 }}</ref>
==Presidency== thumb|Presidential Standard of William Ruto [[File:Map showing countries President William Ruto has visited as president.svg|thumb|Map showing International trips made by William Ruto as President]] [[File:Isaac Herzog in Beit HaNassi, May 2023 (GPOHZ0 7155).jpg|thumb|Ruto with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on 9 May 2023]] [[File:President Joe Biden poses for a photo with President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in the Oval Office.jpg|thumb|Ruto with U.S. President Joe Biden on 23 May 2024]]On 13 September 2022 he was inaugurated at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, and attended by over 20 heads of state and government. The inauguration day was declared a public holiday.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nyaga |first=Beth |date=8 September 2022 |title=Tuesday declared a public holiday for Ruto's inauguration |url=https://www.kbc.co.ke/tuesday-declared-a-public-holiday-for-rutos-inauguration/ |access-date=13 September 2022 |website=KBC}}</ref> Attendance was huge, with groups of the general public clashing with security officials when trying to enter the stadium; however, the event continued peacefully.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=13 September 2022 |title=William Ruto, sworn in as Kenya's president, touts his chicken seller roots |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/09/13/1122665537/william-ruto-kenya-president-sworn-in-uhuru-kenyatta |access-date=13 September 2022}}</ref> Following his inauguration he officially began his term as President of Kenya.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Obulutsa |first1=George |last2=Mersie |first2=Ayenat |date=13 September 2022 |title='Hustler' Ruto becomes Kenya's fifth president after close election |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/william-ruto-be-sworn-kenyas-president-2022-09-13/ |access-date=13 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=From humble past, William Ruto sworn in as Kenya's president |work=AP News|first1=Cara|last1=Anna|first2=Brian|last2=Inganga|date=13 September 2022 |url=https://apnews.com/article/africa-kenya-east-uhuru-kenyatta-raila-odinga-848ba39a62c829193538cfbea62a6d6e |access-date=6 March 2023}}</ref>
After taking office Ruto pledged to address climate change and end the use of fossil fuels in Kenya's electricity production by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2022 |title=Kenya's new president promises ambitious climate plan |url=https://apnews.com/article/africa-presidential-elections-united-nations-inaugurations-4c1580731211bd55e8d2992fed8e9776 |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=AP NEWS|first=Wanjohi|last=Kabukuru|language=en}}</ref>
On 18 September 2022 President Ruto made his first foreign trip as head of state to the United Kingdom, during which he attended the state funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2022|title=Ruto among the 500 leaders attending Queen Elizabeth's State Funeral|url=https://www.garoweonline.com/en/world/africa/ruto-among-the-500-leaders-attending-queen-elizabeth-s-state-funeral|access-date=29 September 2022|website=Garowe Online|language=en}}</ref> on 19 September 2022 at Westminster Abbey in London.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2022 |title=Ruto arrives in London for Queen Elizabeth's burial |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-09-19-photos-ruto-arrives-in-london-for-queen-elizabeths-burial/ |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Star News |language=en}}</ref>
Two days later, on 21 September 2022, President Ruto made his debut address as head of state to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. He nodded to President Biden's "''Build Back Better''" domestic plan, proposing a global effort toward "building back better from the bottom upward." The goal, he said, should be "including the marginalized, working majority in the economic mainstream." Other themes he addressed were the expansion of the representation of Africa on the U.N. Security Council,<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2022 |title=Ruto Joins Biden In Rooting For An Expanded Security Council As Part Of UN Reforms|url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2022/09/ruto-joins-biden-in-rooting-for-an-expanded-security-council-as-part-of-un-reforms/|access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Capital News |language=en}}</ref> increased investment in the African continent, "moving Africa from aid to investment", tapping "the ever-bustling" human capital for economic prosperity and a concerted effort towards tackling climate change in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2022|title=Kenya's president pitches for investment and warns about climate change.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/21/world/africa/kenyas-william-ruto-unga.html|access-date=22 September 2022 |website=The New York Times|first=Declan|last=Walsh|author-link=Declan Walsh (journalist)|language=en}}</ref>
In September 2022, he said that the Horn of Africa was experiencing its worst drought in 40 years, adding that "3.1 million people are facing severe drought" in Kenya alone.<ref name="france24"/>
Asked about the ongoing Tigray War in northern Ethiopia between government forces and Tigray rebels, Ruto said that ''"''whatever happens in Ethiopia gets to Kenya''"''.<ref name="france24">{{cite news |title=Kenya's Ruto warns of 'starvation in Horn of Africa' due to climate change |url=https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-interview/20220923-kenya-s-ruto-warns-of-risk-of-starvation-in-horn-of-africa-due-to-climate-change |work=France 24 |date=23 September 2022}}</ref>
Speaking about the Somali Civil War, he said that ''"''Kenyan troops will come back home as soon as we're done with the assignment that we have in Somalia''."''<ref name="france24"/>
In November 2022 Ruto's government launched the Hustler Fund, a loan program to grant immediate loans to Kenyan citizens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2022 |title=Kenya's Ruto launches 'hustler fund' small loan scheme |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/kenya-economy/kenyas-ruto-launches-hustler-fund-small-loan-scheme-idUKL4N32Q3U5 |access-date=13 January 2023 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
In 2023 Ruto proposed a large-scale privatisation of public enterprises, noting that it is not economically viable to keep pumping government resources into sustaining those corporations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamau |first=Macharia |title=President Ruto to privatise up to 10 State corporations within one year |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/business/article/2001457888/president-ruto-to-privatise-up-to-10-state-corporations-within-one-year |date= |website=Health |language=en}}</ref>
On 29 September 2023, Ruto joined the Advisory Board of the Global Center on Adaptation following the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.<ref>{{cite web|title=William Ruto President Of Kenya Joins GCA Advisory Board|url=https://gca.org/news/william-ruto-president-of-kenya-joins-gca-advisory-board/|website=Global Center on Adaptation|date=29 September 2023|access-date=18 March 2026}}</ref>
On 25 June 2024 at least five people were killed when public order broke down over tax protests. Ruto proposed several tax rises because more than half of its annual tax revenues are spent to service debt. The increased taxes are proposed "on everything from car ownership and financial transactions to sanitary pads."<ref name="bbc6">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd11023xm15o |title=Kenya's president faces tough choices after day of bloodshed|work=BBC News|first=Stewart|last=Maclean|date=25 June 2024|access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref>
On 11 July Ruto sacked most of his cabinet save for the deputy president and prime cabinet secretary, and the next day the police chief Japhet Koome resigned after 40 people died over the past month in the Kenya Finance Bill protests. Koome was held responsible for police violence against protesters. It was noted that "[a]bout 60% of Kenya's collected revenues goes to servicing debt."<ref name="bbc2">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c978l3rlymvo |title=Japhet Koome: Kenya's police chief resigns amid deadly anti-tax protests }}</ref>
In September 2024, Ruto and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz signed an agreement that opened the German labor market to up to 250,000 skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers from Kenya.<ref>{{cite news |title=Germany opens its doors to Kenyan workers in controlled migration deal |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/14/europe/germany-kenyan-workers-migration-deal-intl/index.html |work=CNN |date=14 September 2024}}</ref> The agreement will also simplify the deportation of Kenyans from Germany. There are concerns about brain drain in Kenya, as professionals such as doctors and nurses could leave for better-paying jobs in Germany.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 September 2024 |title=Germany to welcome Kenyans in labour deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gegkkg14ko |access-date=November 19, 2025 |work=BBC}}</ref> The deal was made at a time when the anti-immigration AfD party is growing in popularity in Germany.<ref>{{cite news |title=Germany to welcome Kenyans in labour deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gegkkg14ko |work=BBC |date=14 September 2024}}</ref>
== Controversies ==
=== Weston Hotel land dispute === Since 2015, the Weston Hotel, a business associated with Ruto, has been the subject of a legal dispute regarding the acquisition of its 0.773-acre site opposite Wilson Airport. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) alleged that the land was public property and was illegally excised in 2002. In January 2019, the National Land Commission (NLC) determined the allotment was irregular but recommended that Ruto compensate the KCAA at market value. Ruto subsequently stated he was a bona fide purchaser who had no knowledge of the original illegality. The matter moved to the High Court after the KCAA rejected the compensation offer, demanding the hotel's demolition.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kenya: Weston Hotel Refuses to Vacate Lang'ata Land, Pay Kcaa |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201911250208.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20191128014650/https://allafrica.com/stories/201911250208.html |archive-date=2019-11-28 |access-date=2026-02-03 |work=allAfrica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=How Weston Hotel land was grabbed from KCAA |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018-11-01-how-weston-hotel-land-was-grabbed-from-kcaa/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230322194555/https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018-11-01-how-weston-hotel-land-was-grabbed-from-kcaa/ |archive-date=2023-03-22 |access-date=2026-02-03 |work=The Star |language=en-KE}}</ref>
====KPC Ngong Forest land scandal====
{{Main|KPC Ngong Forest land scandal}} thumb|Ruto at the 54th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference
In 2004, Ruto was charged with defrauding the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) of approximately Sh272 million through the sale of plots allegedly hived off from the Ngong Forest. Following a Constitutional Court ruling in 2010 that he must face trial, Ruto was suspended from his position as Minister for Higher Education. In April 2011, he was acquitted<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-03 |title=Ruto acquitted in Sh43m fraud case |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/ruto-acquitted-in-sh43m-fraud-case--764136 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref> after the court found that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence that he or his co-accused received the funds from KPC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Oct 2010 |title=Accused Kenyan minister William Ruto is suspended |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-11579285 |access-date=16 Nov 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
In early 2020, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reopened the investigation to trace the money trail of the Sh272 million transaction. Ruto maintained that the renewed probe was politically motivated. Since his assumption of the presidency in 2022, no further charges have been brought forward in this matter, and the case remains part of his historical political discourse.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ombati |first1=Cyrus |last2=Obala |first2=Roselyn |title=DCI reopens Ruto land fraud case nine years after acquittal |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001357470/state-reopens-2004-ruto-land-fraud-case |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204210438/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001357470/state-reopens-2004-ruto-land-fraud-case |archive-date=4 December 2020 |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=The Standard}}</ref>
==== Muteshi land ====
In June 2013, a court ordered Ruto to pay a victim of 2007/08 post-election violence 5 million shillings for illegally taking away his land during the post-election violence.<ref name="headon">{{cite news |last1=Ogemba |first1=Paul |title=End of an era for the man who took DP Ruto head-on for grabbing his land |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/kenya/article/2001391847/eldoret-farmer-who-battled-ruto-for-his-land-passes-on |work=The Standard (Kenya) |date=29 October 2020 |language=en |access-date=26 December 2020 |archive-date=25 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225174000/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/kenya/article/2001391847/eldoret-farmer-who-battled-ruto-for-his-land-passes-on |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dubious">{{cite news |date=3 June 2015 |title=How claims of dubious land deals are hurting DP's image |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/how-claims-of-dubious-land-deals-are-hurting-dp-s-image-1099830 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503075322/https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/how-claims-of-dubious-land-deals-are-hurting-dp-s-image-1099830 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |access-date=26 December 2020 |work=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref> In the same judgement, Ruto was evicted from the grabbed land in Uasin Gishu. Adrian Muteshi had accused Ruto of grabbing<ref name="dubious"/> and trespassing on his 100-acre piece of land in Uasin Gishu after he, Adrian, had fled his land for safety during the post-election violence of 2007/08.<ref name="headon"/> In February 2014, Ruto appealed the court order to pay the 5 million shilling fine. In 2017, Ruto withdrew the appeal against the judgment. In October 2020, Adrian Muteshi died at the age of 86.<ref name="headon"/>
==== Joseph Murumbi's 900 acres ====
In October 2019, the ''Daily Nation'' reported that Ruto's acquisition of a 900-acre piece of land of another former deputy president, Joseph Murumbi, haunted Ruto because he had been involved in the irregular acquisition of the land.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ruto sucked into controversy over purchase of 900 acres |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ruto-sucked-into-controversy-over-purchase-of-900-acres-1851222 |work=Daily Monitor |date=4 October 2019 |language=en |access-date=26 December 2020 |archive-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504060205/https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ruto-sucked-into-controversy-over-purchase-of-900-acres-1851222 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the same month, Ruto claimed that the articles were persistent, and obviously sponsored fake news. Later that month, a human rights lobby activist, Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance, called for an investigation into the mysterious acquisition of a 900-acre piece of land that formerly belonged to former vice-president Murumbi.<ref name="murumbi">{{cite news |last1=Gachuhi |first1=Kennedy |title=How taxpayers lost Sh180m in former VP Murumbi land sale |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business-news/article/2001344521/how-taxpayers-lost-sh180m-in-former-vp-murumbi-land-sale |work=The Standard (Kenya) |date=6 October 2019 |language=en |access-date=26 December 2020 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503075322/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business-news/article/2001344521/how-taxpayers-lost-sh180m-in-former-vp-murumbi-land-sale |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the allegations, Murumbi had been involved in a dispute over loan defaults with a state corporation, AFC, against the land that was pledged as a security for the loan.<ref name="murumbi"/> It is alleged that Murumbi defaulted the loan and AFC took over ownership of the land that was eventually sold to Ruto after he paid off the loan owed to the state corporation.<ref name="murumbi"/>
=== 2009 maize scandal === {{Main|2009 Kenyan Maize Scandal}}
In February 2010, Ruto was suspended from his position as Agriculture Minister after his alleged involvement in the 2009 maize scandal that saw the country lose millions of shillings from fraudulent and irregular payments made for purchase of subsidized imported maize by business people and politicians. The then prime minister Raila Odinga termed Ruto's suspension necessary and which would allow for gathering of evidence to determine if any individuals should be prosecuted in these scandal, this was in line with a forensic audit done by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on the maize scandal.<ref>{{Cite news | title=The day Raila suspended and later fired Ruto | url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/day-raila-suspended-and-later-fired-william-ruto--5235002#story | newspaper=Daily Nation| access-date=16 Nov 2025 }}</ref>
=== Jacob Juma assassination === Ruto has been publicly linked by several opposition figures, activists, and media reports to the May 2016 assassination of Jacob Juma, a businessman and outspoken government critic. In the months preceding his death, Juma used social media to allege that Ruto was plotting to kill him, claiming in December 2015 that his assassination had been discussed by senior figures. Following Juma's fatal shooting along Ngong Road, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo alleged during the memorial service that a personal rivalry existed between the two, claiming Juma had once physically assaulted Ruto. Jirongo further suggested that the same individuals involved in Juma's death were responsible for the murder of Meshack Yebei, a potential witness in Ruto’s ICC trial.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jacob Juma |url=https://assassination.globalinitiative.net/face/jacob-juma/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Faces of Assassination |language=pt-br}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mathenge |first1=Oliver |date=6 May 2016 |title=Jacob Juma made enemies online including Ruto |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016-05-06-jacob-juma-made-enemies-online-including-ruto/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506112223/https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016-05-06-jacob-juma-made-enemies-online-including-ruto/ |archive-date=6 May 2021 |access-date=30 November 2020 |work=The Star (Kenya) |language=en-KE}}</ref>
President Ruto has consistently denied these allegations, characterizing them as politically motivated attacks intended to damage his reputation. He threatened to sue Jirongo and others for defamation, maintaining he never had physical contact with Juma.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-12 |title=DP Ruto threatens legal action on Jirongo over Jacob Juma comment |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/dp-ruto-threatens-legal-action-jirongo-jacob-juma-comment/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Nairobi News |language=en-US}}</ref> While Ruto expressed his willingness to record a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-08 |title=I'm open to investigation over Jacob Juma's murder – DP Ruto |url=https://www.citizen.digital/news/im-open-to-investigation-over-jacob-jumas-murder-dp-ruto-129479 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}</ref> if requested, the murder remains officially unsolved as of 2026, with no suspects charged in connection with the crime.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-03 |title=Ruto tells off Cord over Juma death claims |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/ruto-tells-off-cord-over-juma-death-claims-1199042 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2016, reports from the ''Financial Post'' detailed a dispute involving Pacific Wildcat, a Canadian mining company where Juma served as a director. Following the cancellation of the company's $2 billion niobium mining license in Kwale County by the Jubilee government, Juma alleged that then-Mining Minister Najib Balala had solicited a bribe to reinstate it. Company officials further alleged that Ruto and Balala had pressured the firm to transfer its license to a new entity in which the Kenyan government would hold a 50% stake for free.<ref name="nation.africa">{{Cite web |date=2020-07-02 |title=Queries over whether Jacob Juma was a windbag or whistleblower |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/queries-over-whether-jacob-juma-was-a-windbag-or-whistleblower-1198770 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref> While Juma’s opposition to the cancellation became a central theme of his social media activism and political correspondence, a High Court of Kenya ruling ultimately upheld the Minister’s decision to revoke the license, finding that the cancellation was legally sound. Critics and media reports noted that the loss of these mining interests preceded Juma's transition into an outspoken critic of the administration's corruption, leading to various court filings and diplomatic petitions prior to his assassination.<ref name="nation.africa"/>
=== Defamation case and Boniface Mwangi === In October 2016, Ruto filed a defamation suit against activist and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi after the latter posted a social media message linking him to the assassination of Jacob Juma. Ruto's legal team argued that the claims were malicious and intended to damage his reputation as a public officer.The case drew further attention in December 2016 when Douglas Nyakundi, an individual claiming to be an employee at the Office of the Deputy President, approached Mwangi alleging he had a confession detailing the planning of Juma's murder by persons within Ruto's office. Nyakundi was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted extortion, with police alleging he had demanded money from Mwangi in exchange for the information.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lang'at |first1=Patrick |title=Boniface Mwangi now wants state security |url=https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/boniface-mwangi-state-security |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130233636/https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/news/boniface-mwangi-state-security |archive-date=30 November 2020 |access-date=30 November 2020 |work=Nairobi News}}</ref> During legal proceedings, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that Nyakundi had recanted his statement, claiming he had been coached to fabricate the allegations. The court subsequently ordered a mental evaluation for Nyakundi to determine his fitness to stand trial. As of 2026, the assassination of Jacob Juma remains officially unsolved.<ref name="genesis">{{cite news |last1=Mwalimu |first1=Kaka |date=23 June 2016 |title=Revealed: The genesis of Ruto-Jacob Juma fall-out |url=https://hivisasa.com/posts/revealed-the-genesis-of-ruto-jacob-juma-fall-out |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130232959/https://hivisasa.com/posts/revealed-the-genesis-of-ruto-jacob-juma-fall-out |archive-date=30 November 2020 |access-date=30 November 2020 |work=hivisasa.com}}</ref>
===International Criminal Court summons===
{{main|International Criminal Court investigation in Kenya}}
In December 2010, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced that he was seeking the summons of six people, including Ruto, over their involvement in the 2007–8 electoral violence.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/blob/view/-/1072970/data/221745/-/8cjsjj/-/statement.pdf |title=Kenya's post-election violence: ICC Prosecutor presents cases against six individuals for crimes against humanity |publisher=International Criminal Court |date=15 December 2010 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Things |access-date=23 April 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003142/http://www.nation.co.ke/blob/view/-/1072970/data/221745/-/8cjsjj/-/statement.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber subsequently issued a summons for Ruto at the prosecutor's request.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/doc/doc1037044.pdf |title=Decision on the Prosecutor's Application for Summons to Appear for William Samoei Ruto, Henry Kiprono Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang |publisher=International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber II |access-date=12 July 2011 |archive-date=16 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616182850/http://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/doc/doc1037044.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Ruto was accused of planning and organizing crimes against supporters of President Kibaki's Party of National Unity. He was charged with three counts of crimes against humanity, one for murder, one for the forcible transfer of population, and one for persecution. On 23 January 2012, the ICC confirmed the charges against Ruto and Joshua Sang, in a case that also involved former president Uhuru Kenyatta, Francis Muthaura, Henry Kosgey and Major General Mohammed Hussein Ali.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=19 November 2004 |title=U.K. Court Orders Animal-Rights Activists to Stand Off |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.306.5700.1273c |journal=Science |volume=306 |issue=5700 |pages=1273 |doi=10.1126/science.306.5700.1273c |s2cid=150515547 |issn=0036-8075|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Ruto told the US government that the Kiambaa church fire on 1 January 2008 after the 2007 general election was accidental.<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201103071351.html Ruto explains Kiambaa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310003447/http://allafrica.com/stories/201103071351.html |date=10 March 2011 }} ''Wikileaks''</ref> In 2009 the Waki Commission report stated that "the incident which captured the attention of both Kenyans and the world was a deliberate burning of live people, mostly Kikuyu women, and children huddled together in a church" in Kiambaa on 1 January 2008.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Ruto, William Samoei arap |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1570-6664_iyb_sim_person_53255 |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who|doi=10.1163/1570-6664_iyb_sim_person_53255 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> In April 2016, the International Criminal Court abandoned the prosecution of Ruto, stating that rampant witness intimidation and "intolerable political interference" had made it impossible for the case to proceed.<ref name="theguardian1"/> In the years leading up to the abandonment of the case, there were disappearances and murders of key witnesses in Ruto's ICC case, among them Meshack Yebei whose decomposing body was found at the Man Eater's Park in Tsavo, Voi in January 2015, and John Kituyi who was attacked and killed in cold blood by unknown assailants in April 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How individuals linked to 2007/08 ICC cases died mysteriously | url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2022-09-27-how-individuals-linked-to-200708-icc-cases-died-mysteriously |work=The Star }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meshack Yebei and the uneasy murder mystery for Hague court | url=http://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/dn2/meshack-yebei-and-the-uneasy-murder-mystery-for-hague-court-1074450 | work= Daily Nation | date=5 July 2020 }}</ref> The murders and disappearances remain unresolved to date.
=== Home attack ===
On 28 July 2017, Ruto's home was targeted by at least one attacker armed with a machete, and the police officer on duty guarding the residence was injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/kenyas-deputy-president-ruto-targeted-by-gunmen-10966411|title=Kenya's deputy president William Ruto targeted by gunmen|publisher=Sky News|date=29 July 2017|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731071428/http://news.sky.com/story/kenyas-deputy-president-ruto-targeted-by-gunmen-10966411|url-status=live}}</ref> During the time of the attack, he and his family were not at the compound as he had left hours earlier for a campaign rally in Kitale. There were reports of gunfire and several security sources said the attack was staged by multiple people. Police initially thought there were a few attackers because the attacker used different firearms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40764446|title=Kenya Deputy President Ruto's home entered by knifeman|publisher=BBC News|date=29 July 2017|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511182431/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40764446|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Police-sent--William-Ruto-home-attacker-/1056-4037948-14tyu68z/index.html|title=More police sent to fight attacker at DP Ruto's home|publisher=Daily Nation|date=30 July 2017|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731074150/http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Police-sent--William-Ruto-home-attacker-/1056-4037948-14tyu68z/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Around 48 hours later, Kenya Police chief Joseph Boinnet announced that the attacker had been shot dead and the situation was under control.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://citifmonline.com/2017/07/30/kenya-police-kill-gunman-at-deputy-president-rutos-home/|title=Kenya police kill gunman at Deputy President Ruto's home|publisher=Citifm Online|date=30 July 2017|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731064453/https://citifmonline.com/2017/07/30/kenya-police-kill-gunman-at-deputy-president-rutos-home/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== OCCRP Person of the Year Award ===
In 2024, Ruto received a record-breaking 40,000 public nominations for the OCCRP Person of the Year award. The organization attributed the surge to intense domestic dissatisfaction following the 2024 Finance Bill protests and general economic frustration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-27 |title=Willliam Ruto withdraws Kenya finance bill after deadly protests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3gg30gm0x2o |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> However, OCCRP's final panel of investigative journalists did not award Ruto the title, clarifying that in many cases, public nominations lacked direct evidence of significant corruption or a longstanding pattern of abuses required for their selection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) |url=https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/organized-crime-and-corruption-reporting-project-occrp/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=InfluenceWatch |language=en-US}}</ref> The panel ultimately selected ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, citing his documented role in state-sponsored drug trafficking and human rights violations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otieno |first=Brian |title=Ruto's leadership under scrutiny as Kenya joins global human rights body |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001508885/rutos-leadership-under-scrutiny-as-kenya-joins-global-human-rights-body |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why was Kenya's president ranked 2nd most corrupt globally? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/why-was-kenyas-president-ranked-2nd-most-corrupt-globally/audio-71229080 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> Separate from the OCCRP report, an August 2018 survey by Ipsos Kenya released its Social, Political, Economic and Cultural (SPEC) Survey, which found that 33% of 2,016 respondents perceived Ruto, then Deputy President under Uhuru Kenyatta, as the most corrupt political leader among those currently or previously in office. Anne Waiguru, then Governor of Kirinyaga, was ranked second by 31% of respondents.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kenya: Ruto - IPSOS Graft Survey Simply Cooked, Stage-Managed Finding |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201808230023.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200808205714/https://allafrica.com/stories/201808230023.html |archive-date=2020-08-08 |access-date=2026-02-08 |work=allAfrica.com |language=en}}</ref>
Ruto and his supporters strongly dismissed the poll, with his press secretary labeling it a "libellous crusade" by "shadowy sponsors" intended to influence the 2022 general election. Ruto further characterized the findings as "fake news" and "propaganda".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ipsos poll on corruption is "fake news" - DP Ruto |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ktnnews/video/2000160302/ipsos-poll-on-corruption-is-fake-news-dp-ruto |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref> Similarly, Waiguru threatened legal action for defamation, noting she had never been charged or convicted of corruption in a court of law. Critics of the survey argued that perception-based polls measure public opinion rather than providing factual evidence of criminal activity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Felix |first=Olick |date=22 Jan 2018 |title=DP Ruto 'most corrupt' followed by Waiguru - Ipsos |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2018-08-22-dp-ruto-most-corrupt-followed-by-waiguru-ipsos |access-date=2 February 2026 |work=The Star}}</ref>
=== 2025 State banquet controversy === On the evening of 18 March, Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto hosted a state banquet at State House in Nairobi in honor of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. After finishing his opening speech President Ruto, contrary to protocol, then introduced Patrick V. Verkooijen, the Dutch chancellor of the University of Nairobi, as a surprise speaker rather than acknowledging his guest, the Dutch king, who was visibly surprised. Verkooijen then proceeded to give a 7.5 minute speech in which he extolled the accomplishments of Ruto, drawing criticism from the royal delegation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2025 |title= President Kenia passeert koning tijdens staatsbanket: 'Zo hoort het niet' |url=https://www.ad.nl/buitenland/president-kenia-passeert-koning-tijdens-staatsbanket-zo-hoort-het-niet~aad44698/ |access-date=19 March 2025 |website=Algemeen Dagblad |language=nl}}</ref>
=== Church-building === In July 2025, President Ruto announced that he would build a church on the grounds of State House, Nairobi using his own funds. The decision was widely criticised, with the Atheists In Kenya Society threatening to sue over what it called "a promotion of Christian nationalism", and Nairobi's Catholic archbishop Philip Anyolo urging a clarification on whether the proposal would favour certain denominations. The ''Daily Nation'' also published what is said were architectural designs for the structure, showing a large building with stained glass windows and capacity for 8,000 people, and said that it would be expected to cost $9 million, while raising concern over whether it would violate the secular principles enshrined within the Kenyan constitution.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyzd9jg9ymo |title=Kenyan leader to build huge church at presidential office |date=4 July 2025 |language=en |access-date=5 July 2025 |work=BBC}}</ref>
=== Adani Group involvements=== In June 2024, a University student, Nelson Amenya, blew the whistle on a deal that was underway between the government and Adani Group to lease Kenya's largest International Airport, JKIA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The student who blew whistle on Kenya airport controversy | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rjvvz0mzmo |work=BBC | date=20 December 2024 }}</ref> Many Kenyans criticized this deal on the internet for not following the correct privatization procedure such as having public participation on the matter as required by law. The secret manner in which the deal was being conducted also made many Kenyans suspicious of the disregard of transparency. The president on numerous occasions refuted the claims that the airport was being sold, he added the deal was crucial for national development and for the modernization of JKIA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=President Ruto defends Adani company, says its crucial for national development | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxjEzc3AojA|work=KTN | date=24 October 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Ruto Defends Adani With Swipe at Kenyans Celebrating Deal's Collapse | url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/106967-ruto-defends-adani-swipe-kenyans-celebrating-deals-collapse |work=Kenyans.co.ke | date=3 December 2024 }}</ref> Adani was also involved with the Energy sector in Kenya and had signed power transmission deals with the government aimed at increasing power transmission and rural electrification in the country. The deal was valued at $736 million.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Inside Adani's Kes95 billion deal |url=https://www.citizen.digital/business/inside-adanis-ksh95-billion-30-year-deal-for-kenyas-power-lines-n351348 |work=Citizen Digital |date=15 October 2024 }}</ref> Kenya's high court suspended the power deal. The court said the government could not move ahead with the 30-year agreement with Adani Energy Solutions until the court makes a determination on a case brought by Law Society of Kenya challenging the deal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kenyan court suspends $736 million Adani power line deal | url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/kenyan-court-suspends-736-million-adani-power-line-deal-2024-10-25/ |work=Reuters}}</ref> In the same month Ruto reaffirmed that the country stands to gain significantly from the power transmission deal between Adani Group Holdings.<ref>{{Cite web| title=President Ruto defends Kenya-Adani Group power-transmission deal | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PilaIKy5bi8 | work=K24 | date=24 October 2024 }}</ref> On 21 November 2024 in a nation address, Ruto cancelled the Adani deals , which were valued at over $2.5 billion, after Adani was indicted by the US for corruption and bribery allegations.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Kenya cancels more than $2.5bn in deals with Adani after US indictment| url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/11/21/kenya-cancels-more-than-2-5bn-in-deals-with-adani-after-us-indictment | work=Aljazeera}}</ref> The news received positive reactions from lawmakers.
=== Role in the Sudan conflict === In 2024 and 2025, the Ruto administration faced international and domestic scrutiny regarding its role in the Sudanese civil war. Following a February 2024 meeting between Ruto and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, reports from investigative outlets like NTV and Bellingcat identified Kenyan-labeled military crates in Sudanese depots. Further allegations, highlighted by organizations such as SwissAid, suggested that Nairobi served as a transit hub for gold smuggled from RSF-controlled territories to Dubai. Sudanese officials and domestic critics alleged these ventures provided a financial and logistical backbone for the RSF, though the Kenyan government consistently denied direct involvement in the illicit trade.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Govt Responds to Claims of Ruto Supplying Weapons to Sudan | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/govt-responds-to-claims-of-ruto-supplying-weapons-to-sudan/ar-AA1GNJH0 | work=msn | date=16 Jun 2025 | language=en }}</ref>
Diplomatic tensions peaked in February 2025 after Kenya hosted the signing of a charter by the RSF and its allies to form a parallel government in Sudan. While the Sudanese military-led government condemned the move as "diplomatic anarchy" and an infringement on its sovereignty, President Ruto maintained that Kenya’s involvement was strictly as a neutral mediator. Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura affirmed that Kenya remained committed to IGAD-led peace negotiations and humanitarian relief, framing the hosting of various Sudanese factions as a necessary step toward ending the conflict and restoring civilian rule.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2025 |title=Sudan RSF, allies, Sign charter in Nairobi to form parallel government |url=https://kenyainsights.com/sudans-rsf-allies-sign-charter-in-nairobi-to-form-parallel-government/ |work=KenyaInsights |language=en}}</ref>
===Privatization of state-owned entities=== On 9 October 2023, Ruto signed the Privatisation Bill 2023 into law, which gives the country's Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning powers to privatise public-owned enterprises without seeking approval from Parliament. Under the new law in place, privatisation of public entities will be done through initial public offering of shares, sale of shares by public tender, sale resulting from the exercise of pre-emptive rights or through any other method that will be defined by the Cabinet. This has been termed unconstitutional by civil societies and groups. The groups reiterated that the process is illegal and amounts to a material breach of procedure, having not gone through parliamentary ratification, stakeholder engagement and public participation contrary to sections 21,22 and 23 of the Privatisation Act, 2023, terming it null and void. There have also been fears for job losses should some entities get privatised. MPs have also raised their concern on how valuation has been carried out with some claiming entities have been undervalued, also questioning the transparency and legality of the entire process. .<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civil Society launches legal battle over privatisation of parastatals | url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-04-06-civil-society-launches-legal-battle-over-privatisation-of-parastatals? | work=The Star }}</ref> He has since defended this move terming it necessary as it lessens fiscal burden from the state thus cutting government expenditure and that will also raise revenue in addition to fighting corruption. This was also defended by the then Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung'u.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ndungu:privatisation of parastatals meant to address corruption | url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001466840/ndungu-privatising-parastatals-meant-to-address-corruption | work=The Standard | date=10 Feb 2023 }}</ref> Over 10 state parastatals have been up for privatisation, including KICC, JKIA, Kenya Seed Company, National Oil Corporation of Kenya, Kenya Literature Bureau, with Kenya Pipeline Company being privatised later in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Kenya Pipeline privatization kicks off as gov't seeks transaction advisors for IPO| url=https://citizen.digital/article/kenya-pipeline-privatization-kicks-off-as-govt-seeks-transaction-advisors-for-ipo-n371190 |work=Citizen Digital | date=9 October 2025 }}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Ruto is married to Rachel Chebet. They first lived in Dagoretti, where they had their first child.<ref>{{Cite web |title=One On One With Kenya's Second Most Powerful Woman: Rachel Chebet Ruto |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJza5OG6KGk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815151936/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJza5OG6KGk |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> They were married in 1991 at the Africa Inland Church.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2022|title=Rachel Ruto hosts Bishop who officiated wedding with Ruto|url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-09-16-rachel-ruto-hosts-bishop-who-officiated-wedding-with-ruto/|access-date=29 September 2022|website=The Star|language=en}}</ref> They currently have six children.
Ruto is an evangelical Christian and a member of the Africa Inland Church.<ref>A. Chekwech, [https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/reviews-profiles/william-ruto-the-self-made-kingmaker-1537800 William Ruto, the self-made kingmaker], monitor.co.ug, Uganda, 12 March 2013</ref> thumb|Ruto and his wife at Benny Hinn's crusade in Kenya
Ruto owns a chicken farm in his home village of Sugoi, which was originally inspired by his stint as a chicken hawker on the Nairobi-Eldoret-Malaba highway.<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web |last=Shiundu |first=Alphonce |title=William Ruto: How he rose from roadside Kuku-seller to multi-billionaire |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/city-news/2000224690/william-ruto-how-he-rose-from-roadside-kuku-seller-to-multi-billionaire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726075056/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/city-news/2000224690/william-ruto-how-he-rose-from-roadside-kuku-seller-to-multi-billionaire |archive-date=26 July 2022 |access-date=16 December 2020 |website=Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle}}</ref> Ruto and his wife built a chapel in their compound at their residence in the Karen suburb of Nairobi.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 September 2022 |title=William Ruto: How Kenya's new president is influenced by religion |language=en-GB |work=BBC News|first=Evelyne|last=Musambi|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62835681 |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref>
== Honours and awards == {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year
!Country !Order / Decoration |- |2013
|{{flag|Kenya}} |Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) |- |2022 |{{flag|Kenya}} |Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.) |- |2023
|{{flag|Comoros}}
|80x80px Order of the Green Crescent of the Comoros (Grand Cross)<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 July 2023 |title=President Ruto honoured with Comoros' highest award |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/in-pictures/2023-07-06-president-ruto-honoured-with-comoros-highest-award/ |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=The Star|first=Maureen|last=Kinyanjui |language=en-KE}}</ref> |- |2024 |{{flag|Guinea-Bissau}} |Amílcar Cabral Medal <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/presidentesissoco/posts/pfbid0AHdna8eoeRaM1f7vLWkunDyD7rXT7mHHWe8bYC8iEVeCHLZYu5SXHRSF9HtimXvSl |title=President of the Republic awards the Amílcar Cabral medal |date=6 April 2024 |website=Facebook |publisher=Presidência da República da Guiné-Bissau |access-date=11 April 2024 |quote=}}</ref>
|}
=== Other recognition ===
* '''2022''': Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement * '''2023''': African Leader of the Year, ''African Leadership Magazine'' * '''2024''': Outstanding Leaders Award, U.S. Chamber of Commerce * '''2024''': Global Award for Climate Action, NDC Investment Awards * '''2024''': Outstanding Achievement Award, Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)
== See also ==
* Presidency of William Ruto * List of heads of state of Kenya * 2022 Kenyan general election * List of current heads of state and government * List of heads of the executive by approval rating
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
{{commons category|William Ruto}} * [https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2071872.stm BBC News], ''Kenya's political punch-up'' * {{cite news |last1=Kahura |first1=Dauti |last2=Akech |first2=Akoko |title=Hustler mentality |url=https://africasacountry.com/2020/11/hustler-mentality |access-date=17 November 2020 |work=africasacountry.com |date=6 November 2020}} * {{C-SPAN|140273}}
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