President-elect William Ruto is perhaps the perfect example of the famous saying that through education- a son of a farmer can become the president of a great nation.
But of course, he portrays himself as a son of a peasant, a charcoal and chicken seller who rose to be the incoming fifth president in Kenya.
William Samoei Ruto has had an eventful academic life crowned by a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in plant ecology.
At the core of this success is a little-known Wareng High School that is situated in Uasin Gishu County. The president-elect attended Wareng High School for his 'O' Levels education between 1981 and 1984.
In May 2019, during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel, he recalled wearing his first pair of shoes after sitting national exams in 1981.
"My father bought me my first pair of shoes in 1981 from a Mr.Onyango on the street. The shoes cost Ksh 60, he could not afford the bata shoes," Ruto recalled.
Wareng High School is currently a mixed-day secondary school located in Pioneer location in Kapsaret Constituency. The institution is ranked as a sub-county school by the Ministry of Education with a population of 1,000 students.
During his time at Wareng, young Ruto was an active member of the Christian Union and a volleyball player. In addition, his star in leadership started manifesting in his role as a hostel captain.
Ruto then proceeded to Kapsabet High School in the neighbouring Nandi County where he attended his advanced level education (A' levels).
He would later be enrolled at the University of Nairobi where he pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Botany and Zoology. He graduated in 1990 before returning to the institution for his postgraduate education.
In 2012, Ruto went to further his studies, this time pursuing a PhD at the University of Nairobi. He was conferred with the PhD in 2018 after satisfying all the requisite conditions.
Wareng High School has since relayed a congratulatory message to Ruto, terming his elevation to the county's top seat as inspirational to members and fraternity of the institution.
In a statement published in a local daily, the management of Wareng High School expressed pleasure in the milestone achieved by Ruto.
"Please accept our warm congratulations on your victory and our best wishes as you prepare to take up the responsibilities. You are a great inspiration to our alumni and our current students," read the statement in part.
Entry into Politics
Ruto was initiated into national politics in 1992 when former president Daniel Moi conscripted him into the KANU campaign team head of the first multiparty elections after section 2 A was repealed to revert Kenya into pluralism.
He served as the Treasurer of YK92, the youth wing that participated in the campaigns of KANU. This moment has been cited as a major landmark in his political career.
Ruto, 55, is expected to be sworn in as Kenya's fifth president on Tuesday, September 13 after the Supreme Court confirmed him as the duly elected president in the August 9 general election.
