William Samoei Arap Ruto

In 1992, became treasurer for Youth for KANU ’92 (YK’92), backing Moi’s reelection

Built political influence and, in 1997, was elected MP for Eldoret North, defeating the incumbent

Appointed Assistant Minister in the President’s Office (1998–2002) and later Minister for Home Affairs under Moi in 2002

Became KANU Secretary-General in 2005, representing the party during the 2005 constitutional referendum

Left KANU post-2005 referendum and co-founded Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), becoming a key member of its ‘Pentagon’ leadership

Elected MP under ODM in 2007 and, following post-election crisis, joined Kibaki-Odinga coalition government

Served as Minister for Agriculture (2008–2010) and Minister for Higher Education (April–October 2010)

Briefly associated with UDM, then in 2012 co-founded the United Republican Party (URP).

URP formed the Jubilee Alliance with Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA; Ruto ran as Uhuru’s running mate in 2013

Served as the first elected Deputy President from April 2013 to September 2022, re-elected in 2017 under the Jubilee Party

Briefly acted as President in October 2014 when Uhuru attended ICC proceedings

UDA formally launched in 2021, signaling Ruto’s next presidential bid

Sworn in as Kenya’s 5th President on 13 September 2022, leading the Kenya Kwanza Alliance

As President, also serves as Commander-in-Chief, Chair of the East African Community, and has pushed regional leadership role