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William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto 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. He previously served in three cabinet portfolios as the Minister for Home Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture and as Minister for Higher Education.
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business · President of Kenya since 2022 · politician · businessperson · minister · botanist · also William Ruto, President William Samoei Arap Ruto, William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, William Samoei Runye Arap Ruto, Dr William Samoei Arap Ruto, Ruto
Born 21 December 1966 · Q195725
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“We call on all African states to join us in this journey. Africa can lead the world. We have immense potential for renewable energy. Reducing costs of renewal energy technologies make this the most viable energy source.”
“whatever happens in Ethiopia gets to Kenya”
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iHarare News: Wicknell Chivayo Praises Kenya’s President Ruto After Tour Of His Farm
Claimed: ““The total length of tarmac roads in Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of [the] Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan combined is less than 20,000 kilometres.”” — rated Incorrect by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““Kenya plans to construct 28,000 kilometres of tarmac roads in the next seven years.”” — rated Mostly correct by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““(Kenya) has 6,000 kilometres of tarmac under construction.”” — rated Incorrect by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““Kenya has 20,000 km of tarmac roads.”” — rated Incorrect by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““Middle-income countries generally have higher or similar prices compared to Kenya.”” — rated Misleading by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““Kenya is a middle-income country. Kenya’s neighbouring countries are least developed countries.”” — rated Misleading by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““We have hired 76,000 teachers.”” — rated Correct by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: “Sugar “imports are down 70%.”” — rated Incorrect by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: “Sugar “production has surged 76% to over 815,000 metric tonnes.”” — rated Incorrect by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““Tea production has grown, with earnings rising from KSh138 billion in 2022 to KSh 215 billion in 2024, a 56% increase”” — rated Incorrect by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““Area under cane is up by 200,000 acres.”” — rated Incorrect by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““I have often spoken of the Asian Tigers, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia … countries that, at independence, were our peers in nearly every measurable way.”” — rated Incorrect by Africa Check.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Ruto received a record-breaking 40,000 public nominations for the OCCRP Person of the Year award
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And 2025, the Ruto administration faced international and domestic scrutiny regarding its role in the Sudanese civil war
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Which resulted in the Nairobi Declaration, a call for a global carbon tax and a more equitable international debt system
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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
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Published video “Service Charter - Office of the Deputy President”.
Published video “Kenya Kwanza media briefing on the dead and buried BBI Bill, Lamu Island, Lamu County.”.
Published video “Deputy President Ruto's Speech”.
Published video “Kiunjuri at the UDA, NDC at Kasarani in Nairobi County.”.
Published video “Deputy President William Ruto speech during the UDA - National Delegates Conference at Kasarani.”.
Published video “Duale on dynasties at the UDA, National Delegates Conference, Kasarani, Nairobi County.”.
Published video “Duale on the politics of deceit and betrayal at the UDA, NDC at Kasarani in Nairobi.”.
Published video “Moses Kuria at the UDA, National Delegates Conference, Kasarani, Nairobi County.”.
Published video “Dance at the UDA, National Delegates Conference, Kasarani, Nairobi County.”.
No further charges have been brought forward in this matter, and the case remains part of his historical political discourse
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Career landmark: President of Kenya (2022).
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Ruto withdrew the appeal against the judgment
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Career landmark: Vice-President of Kenya (2013–2022).
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That he must face trial, Ruto was suspended from his position as Minister for Higher Education
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Career landmark: Minister of Education of Kenya (2010–2010).
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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
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Career landmark: Minister of Agriculture of Kenya (2008–2010).
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Kenya held a referendum on a new constitution, which KANU opposed
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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
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Under the LDP banner and who were disgruntled as President Mwai Kibaki had not honored a pre-election MoU on power-sharing and creation of a Prime Minister post, joined KANU to oppose the proposed constitution
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Career landmark: Minister of Home Affairs (2002–2002).
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For Moi's preferred successor, Uhuru Kenyatta, saw him get a place as assistant minister in the Home Affairs (Interior) ministry
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From which he learned the basics of Kenyan politics
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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)
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Born 1966-12-21.
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