As a fresh university graduate, he threw his weight behind then President Daniel arap Moi when opposition against the Kanu regime was gaining momentum.
Because of his efforts and others, Moi retained power in Kenya’s first multiparty elections in 1992.
But it was not until 1997 that he was elected to parliament as MP for Eldoret North. Interestingly, Moi was totally against his election; openly supporting his main challenger and incumbent, the late Reuben Chesire.
Since 1997, William Ruto’s political career has grown in leaps and bounds and today he is seen as the most powerful person after the president. He’s been a dominant figure in Kenya’s political arena for more than three decades.
When President Moi dramatically picked Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor in 2002 to the chagrin of senior Kanu politicians like the Kalonzo Musyoka, Moody Awori and the late Vice President George Saitoti, it’s only Ruto who stood by his choice while the rest defected enmass.
And, when Kenyatta -a political greenhorn at the time- was whitewashed by opposition outfit Narc, it’s only Ruto who remained with him; giving him a shoulder to lean on. The rest including Musalia Mudavadi were nowhere to be seen.
In 2007, William paid the price for being the force and brains behind ODM’s Raila Odinga’s strong match towards State House. His victory was snatched from him as he sat in plush Nairobi hotel sipping whisky while piecing together his cabinet. It was not to be.
In 2013, William reunited with Mr Kenyatta and against a strong force both local and international, they won the presidency. They would repeat this fit against a much stronger opposition in 2017. They beat all the odds- again- to retain power.
To cut a long story short, William Ruto has been the most loyal politician in the last two decades. His loyalty is unmatched.
Political observers will be keen to see if he can build a strong presidential campaign machinery that can propel him to State House ama amekuwa akisaidia watu wengine tu.
Can he?
