Dr. William Samoei Ruto

Candidate for President

Dr. William Samoei Ruto

“Bottom up”

About

William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto has been a central figure in Kenyan politics for more than two decades. He served as Member of Parliament for Eldoret North and held several senior government positions before becoming Deputy President and later President. His political message has centred on economic inclusion, often described as the “hustler” agenda, with emphasis on agriculture, small businesses, housing, and healthcare access.

Candidacy status

  1. Reported16 Sep 2026Public reports say this person intends to run.
  2. Verified declarationNot yet: the profile has not been claimed by the candidate’s teamThe candidate’s team claimed this profile and confirmed the candidacy.
  3. Party nomineeNot yetNominated by a registered party for this seat.
  4. IEBC-clearedNot yetCleared by the IEBC to be on the ballot.
  5. ElectedNot yetDeclared winner in the official results.

Every candidate profile shows the same five steps. Chagua moves a candidate up a step only with a source; claiming a profile is free.

Key issues

  • Bottom-up economic transformation focused on ordinary Kenyans
  • Support for farmers, traders, and the informal sector
  • Affordable housing programme
  • Expansion of universal healthcare
  • Growth of the digital economy and job creation
  • Strengthening agriculture and food security
  • Empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
  • Infrastructure development and service delivery

Same questions, every candidate

Every candidate gets the same questions. Answers are written by the candidate and shown as they wrote them.

See the 7 questions – no answers yetHide the questions
  1. Jobs What will you do in your first two years to create jobs and incomes, especially for young people?

  2. Cost of living and taxes What, specifically, will you do about prices and taxes for ordinary households?

  3. Corruption Name one step that will make public money in your office traceable by any citizen.

  4. Health How will people in this area get affordable care, including at SHA-contracted facilities?

  5. Roads and water Which road or water project will you finish first, and by when?

  6. Local priority What is the single biggest local problem here (including insecurity), and what is your plan for it?

  7. Your commitment Give one measurable promise voters can check by 2030 – a number and a date.

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Pledges and promises

2027 pledges 25

What they have said they will do, newest first, with where they said it. Chagua records; it does not judge.

Show 21 more pledgesShow fewer
  • Not yet checked5 Nov 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has pledged to sponsor five students at International Leadership University (ILU) annually for the next 10 years.

    Ruto Offers to Sponsor 5 International Leadership University Students Annually ↗ · nairobileo.co.ke

    Last checked 6 Nov 2026

  • Not yet checked18 Oct 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has warned Kenyans against electing politicians promising to scrap his administration’s development programmes, arguing that reversing the projects would undermine progress made under his leadership.

    Ruto to Kenyans: Don’t elect anyone who is promising to scrap my… ↗ · peopledaily.digital

    Last checked 19 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked17 Oct 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has set February 2027 as the deadline for awarding Koitalel Samoei University a full university charter, pledging Ksh3.5 billion towards infrastructure development at the institution in Nandi Hills, Nandi County.

    Ruto sets deadline for awarding Koitalel Samoei University full charter ↗ · peopledaily.digital

    Last checked 18 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked17 Oct 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that he will deliver on the promises he made during the 2022 General Election.

    I have a clear plan for Kenya, says President Ruto ↗ · kbc.co.ke

    Last checked 18 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked17 Oct 2026From the news

    Citing the tarmacking of roads, last mile electricity connectivity, modern markets and the coffee sub-sector reforms, DP Kindiki maintained that President William Ruto has delivered his 2022 election pledges and therefore deserves another term.

    DP Kindiki moves to marshall support in Mt. Kenya region  ↗ · kbc.co.ke

    Last checked 18 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked16 Oct 2026From the news

    National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has vowed to transfer the seven million votes he says the late Raila Odinga commanded in the 2022 General Election to President William Ruto in the 2027 races.

    Junet Mohamed vows to deliver Raila’s 7 million votes to Ruto in… ↗ · peopledaily.digital

    Last checked 17 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked16 Oct 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has pledged Ksh 800 million to upgrade Makutano Stadium to international standards as he outlined plans to transform Kapenguria into a city over the next 30 years.

    Ruto hints at handing Kapenguria city status ↗ · peopledaily.digital

    Last checked 17 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked15 Oct 2026From the news

    NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 15 – President William Ruto has accused his political competitors of seeking power without presenting clear plans for governing the country, challenging them to demonstrate how they would deliver on their promises to Kenyans.

    Ruto accuses opposition of seeking power without responsibility ↗ · capitalfm.africa

    Last checked 15 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked12 Oct 2026From the news

    Speaking in Uasin Gishu County on the second day of his development tour of the North Rift, Ruto revisited his fallout with Uhuru, claiming the former president had promised to support his presidential ambitions after serving two terms.

    Ruto to Uhuru: You’re a conman, retire ↗ · capitalfm.africa

    Last checked 15 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked12 Oct 2026From the news

    [Capital FM] Nairobi -- President William Ruto says he is prepared to face voters in the next election and be judged on his administration's record against the promises made in its election manifesto.

    Ruto Ready to Face Voters Over Development Record ↗ · allafrica.com

    Last checked 15 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked12 Oct 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has remained bullish about delivering the development promises he made to the nation in 2022 that catapulted him to power.

    President Ruto: I am ready for Kenyans to judge me, I have… ↗ · citizen.digital

    Last checked 14 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked12 Oct 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has challenged his political rivals and Kenyans to assess his administration’s performance against the promises made in its 2022 election manifesto, insisting that his government has made progress in infrastructure, healthcare and education.

    Ruto defends manifesto record, challenges rivals to judge his delivery ahead of… ↗ · peopledaily.digital

    Last checked 14 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked12 Oct 2026From the news

    NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 12 – President William Ruto says he is prepared to face voters in the next election and be judged on his administration’s record against the promises made in its election manifesto.

    Ruto ready to face voters over development record ↗ · capitalfm.africa

    Last checked 14 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked12 Oct 2026From the news

    Speaking during an inspection tour of projects in Nandi County, Ruto cited infrastructure, education, healthcare and affordable housing among the sectors in which he said the administration had delivered on its promises.

    Ruto ready to face voters over development record ↗ · capitalfm.africa

    Last checked 15 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked11 Oct 2026From the news

    Women leaders are demanding accountability from President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections, citing unfulfilled promises on gender representation.

    Ruto's 50-50 pledge: Are women at the table or left behind? ↗ · standardmedia.co.ke

    Last checked 12 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked11 Oct 2026From the news

    Speaking during a church service in Likuyani, Ruto accused those opposed to his leadership of using proxies to create political confusion, insisting that his administration was committed to ending tribalism, hatred and discrimination.

    Ruto to Opposition: ‘I Will Deal With You’ ↗ · capitalfm.africa

    Last checked 12 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked6 Oct 2026From the news

    [Capital FM] Nairobi -- President William Ruto has pledged Kenya's support for South Sudan's preparations for its December elections while urging political leaders to pursue dialogue and consensus as Juba navigates a critical phase of its transition.

    Ruto Pledges Kenya's Support for South Sudan Elections, Urges Dialogue ↗ · allafrica.com

    Last checked 10 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked1 Oct 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has vowed to protect Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and the Ksh2.2 trillion refinery investment in Lamu from extortionists seeking to frustrate him through frivolous demands and court cases.

    Ruto vows to protect Dangote refinery investment from extortionists ↗ · kbc.co.ke

    Last checked 12 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked1 Oct 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has vowed to increase government funding to address longstanding land ownership problems at the Coast, saying the issue has contributed to displacement, conflict and poverty in the region.

    Ruto vows more funding to end coastal land disputes ↗ · peopledaily.digital

    Last checked 14 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked30 Sep 2026From the news

    President William Ruto has assured residents of Lamu that concerns over the more than 7,000-acre piece of land where the Dangote East Africa Refinery will be built will be addressed fairly and in accordance with the law.

    Dangote East Africa refinery: Ruto assures Lamu residents land concerns will be… ↗ · citizen.digital

    Last checked 15 Oct 2026

  • Not yet checked30 Sep 2026From the news

    Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu on Wednesday, Ruto said Kenyans closely monitor government and investment timelines, warning Dangote that the public would hold him to account if the refinery is not completed as promised.

    Ruto to Dangote: Kenyans Will Hold You to 40-Month Lamu Refinery Deadline ↗ · capitalfm.africa

    Last checked 17 Oct 2026

Background

Offices held

  • Deputy President Kenya
  • President Kenya

Education

  • University of Nairobi
  • Kapsabet High School

Manifesto

The manifesto focuses on accelerating bottom-up economic transformation with emphasis on empowering ordinary Kenyans. Key priorities include support for farmers and the informal sector, expansion of affordable housing, strengthening universal healthcare, growing the digital economy, creating jobs, and improving agricultural productivity and food security. The plan also prioritises support for micro, small and medium enterprises alongside continued investment in infrastructure and public service delivery.

Events

No upcoming events listed for Dr. William Samoei Ruto yet.

57 past events on record.

In the news

Stories per week, oldest to newest: 0, 0, 1, 0, 6, 68, 118, 162, 301, 240, 144, 311Named in 1054 Kenyan news stories in the last 30 days from 16 outlets · Compare coverage

Stories from news outlets that name this candidate. Chagua does not write, rate or endorse them.

How we know this

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  • PartyUnited Democratic Alliance (UDA)Reported, not yet verified
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    6 Oct 2026
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    6 Oct 2026
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  • Running mateProf. Kithure KindikiReported, not yet verified
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    6 Oct 2026
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  • EducationUniversity of Nairobi; Kapsabet High SchoolReported, not yet verified
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    6 Oct 2026
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Status

  1. ListedNow
  2. Aspirant
  3. Party-nominated
  4. IEBC-cleared
  5. In office

Grey and struck through = already passed. Green = current. Open steps ahead stay visible, with extra weight on IEBC-cleared and In office.