William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto (born 21st December 1966) is a Kenyan politician who is serving as the fifth and current President of Kenya. Prior to ascending to Presidency, Ruto was the 11th deputy president after previously serving in several cabinet positions such 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 2007 to 2013 under the ODM. He served as Minister for Home Affairs under the Daniel Arap Moi administration from August to December 2002. Under the Mwai Kibaki administration, he was Minister of Agriculture from 2008 to 2010 and Minister for Higher Education from April to October 2010. Ruto ran 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).