William Ruto Net Worth

What is William Ruto's Net Worth?

William Ruto is a Kenyan politician who has a net worth of $169 million. After two failed presidential campaigns in 2007 and 2013, William Ruto won the Kenyan presidency on his third try in 2022 as leader of the United Democratic Alliance. Ruto held various positions in the Kenyan government before becoming president, including Member of Parliament, Minister for Agriculture, and Deputy President.

Early Life and Education

William Ruto was born on January 21, 1967 in Kamagut, Kenya to Sarah and Daniel Cheruiyot. His family hails from the indigenous Kalenjin people of the Rift Valley Province. As a youth, Ruto was educated at Kamagut Primary School, Kerotet Primary School, Wareng Secondary School, and Kapsabet High School. For his higher education, he attended the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1990. Ruto went on to earn both MS and PhD degrees from the same university.

Career Beginnings

After graduating from college in 1990, Ruto became a teacher in Kenya's North Rift region. He taught for a few years, and also served as a leader of the local church choir. In 1992, Ruto became involved in Kenyan national politics when he became the treasurer of the Youth for Kanu '92 lobby group, which supported the reelection of President Moi.

Member of Parliament

In 1997, Ruto ran for parliament as a representative of the Eldoret North constituency. He ended up winning in an upset over incumbent Reuben Chesire. Ruto served as a Member of Parliament under the Kenya African National Union from 1997 to 2007, and then under the Orange Democratic Movement from 2007 to 2013. He also served as KANU secretary general from 2005 to 2007.

Cabinet Positions

Ruto held his first Cabinet position in 2002, as Minister for Home Affairs under President Moi. Later, following the controversial results of the 2007 presidential election and amid the ensuing violent crisis, Ruto became Minister for Agriculture in the grand coalition Cabinet formed under President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga. He served in that role until 2010, when he became Minister for Higher Education.

Failed Presidential Campaigns

Under the Orange Democratic Movement, Ruto first ran for president in the 2007 general election. He ended up coming in third place for the nomination, behind Musalia Mudavadi and winner Raila Odinga. Ruto ran for president again in 2013, but withdrew his candidacy in favor of Uhuru Kenyatta.

Deputy President

In 2013, Ruto became the deputy president of Kenya under President Kenyatta. The following year, in October, he was named the acting president while Kenyatta was at the Hague appearing before the ICC. Ruto was reelected as deputy president in 2017 under the Jubilee Party. He served until he was elected president in 2022.

President of Kenya

In late 2020, Ruto joined the newly created United Democratic Alliance. As head of the party, he ran for president in the 2022 general election, and won. Since taking office, Ruto has focused on such areas as green energy, financial inclusion, and increased investment in Africa. However, he has also been controversial for certain policies and proposals, including his wish to raise taxes, which resulted in the deadly Finance Bill protests in 2024. Amid the unrest, Ruto fired most of his Cabinet, and police chief Japhet Koome resigned.

(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Scandals

Ruto has been the subject of a number of scandals during his political career. Among them was a case of land grabbing in which he mysteriously acquired Weston Hotel land. Elsewhere, Ruto was charged with defrauding Kenya Pipeline Company through the questionable sale of land in Ngong Forest. He was ultimately acquitted. In 2013, Ruto was charged with illegally seizing land during the post-election violence of 2007-08, and was ordered to pay recompense to a victim. Another land controversy emerged in 2019 when Ruto was investigated for the mysterious acquisition of 900 acres owned by former Kenya vice president Joseph Murumbi.

In late 2010, Ruto was among six people summoned by the ICC for their involvement in the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007-08. He was accused of murder, the forcible transfer of population, and persecution. However, the case was dropped by the ICC in 2016. Among his other scandals, Ruto has been strongly linked to the 2016 assassination of wealthy businessman and outspoken government critic Jacob Juma. Various activists, politicians, and media figures have worked to corroborate this connection.

Personal Life

In 1991, Ruto married Rachel Chebet. Together, they have seven children, including PR person and philanthropist Charlene. An evangelical Christian, Ruto is a member of the Africa Inland Church. He also owns a chicken farm in his home village of Sugoi.

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