Connect with us

Headline

10 Things To Know About Kenya President-elect, Ruto

Published

on

The head of Kenya’s election body on Monday declared William Ruto the winner of the country’s close-fought presidential election, despite several commissioners rejecting the results.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Wafula Chebukati said Ruto had won almost 7.18 million votes (50.49 per cent) against 6.94 million (48.85 per cent) for his rival Raila Odinga in the August 9 vote.

Here are 10 things to know about Ruto:

Advertisement

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Ruto Wins Kenya Presidential Election

1. Born December 21, 1966, in Sambut village, Kamagut, Uasin Gishu County in the country, Ruto had all his primary, secondary and tertiary education in Kenya. He bagged a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Zoology from the University of Nairobi, graduating in 1990. Ruto proceeded to obtain a Masters degree in Plant ecology, and graduated in 2011, topping it with a Doctorate degree from the University of Nairobi, and graduating on his birthday, December 21, 2018.

2. Ruto worked as a teacher in the North Rift region of Kenya from 1990 to 1992, where he was also the leader of the local African Inland Church Choir.

Advertisement

3. He began his political career as the treasurer of the YK’92 campaign group that lobbied for the re-election of President Daniel Moi in 1992. He was believed to have learnt about Kenyan politics from there and also accumulated some wealth.

4. Ruto became a Member of Parliament in 1998.

5. He was made Minister of Home Affairs in 2002 in the country and served for five months.

Advertisement

6. In January 2006, Ruto announced his intention to vie for the presidency in the 2007 Kenyan general election. This was said to have been met with condemnation from some of his colleagues including former President Moi. However, in the formation of the Cabinet in 2008 after the election was won, amid heated political crises, by Mwai Kibaki, Ruto was appointed the Minister for Agriculture.

7. Ruto was was among the people indicted to stand trial at the International Criminal Court for their involvement in Kenya’s 2007/2008 political violence.

8. Ruto also became the Eldoret North’s Member of Parliament from 2008 to March 4, 2013.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Kenya Close To Election Results, Deputy President Leads

9. In the 2013 presidential election, Ruto was elected the Deputy President alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta and served till 2022. He served as the acting President of Kenya between October 5 and 8, 2014 while President Kenyatta was away at the Hague.

10. The 55-year-old is married to Rachel Chebet and they both have seven children. ​

Advertisement

PUNCH

 

Advertisement

Headline

How Our Airstrikes Stopped Christmas Attacks In Nigeria — US Lawmaker

Published

on

Riley Moore, a member of the United States House of Representatives from West Virginia’s 2nd District, has linked the absence of Christmas attacks in Nigeria this year to US military airstrikes carried out against Islamist militants on Christmas Day.

In a post on his official X account on Saturday, Moore contrasted the situation with the past two Christmas seasons, during which he claimed Christians were killed in attacks across parts of Nigeria.

The lawmaker noted that this year’s response targeted extremist groups instead of marking another period of violence.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Rep Moore Confirms 12 Tomahawk Missiles Launched In Sokoto

He added that US forces acted decisively against militants in coordination with the Nigerian government.

For the past two Christmases, Christians have been murdered in Nigeria. This year, thanks to @POTUS, Radical Islamic Terrorists were on the receiving end of 12 Tomahawk missiles as a present.

Advertisement

“The successful strikes on ISIS, in coordination with the Nigerian government, are just the first step to secure the country and end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore wrote.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that American forces had conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in north-western Nigeria.

Trump, who spoke via his Truth Social platform, warned that more attacks would follow if the militants continued killing Christians, adding that the Department of War executed numerous “perfect strikes.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Headline

U.S. Lawmaker Reacts To Nigeria, U.S. Airstrikes

Published

on

United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has stated that President Donald Trump is determined to put an end to the killing of Christians in Nigeria, warning that further action may follow if the violence persists.

Moore made the statement on Friday via his official X handle.

According to the lawmaker, the strike represents the first step in addressing what he described as the ongoing slaughter of Christians and the broader security crisis affecting Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria

President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end,” he said.

He that the administration’s resolve on the matter should not be underestimated.

Advertisement

As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolved in this matter.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria

Tonight’s strike in coordination with the Nigerian government is just the first step to ending the slaughter of Christians and the security crisis affecting all Nigerians,” he said.

Advertisement

He stressed that the operation signals a stronger stance by the United States in support of Nigeria’s efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism, noting that further measures could be taken if the situation does not improve.

Continue Reading

Headline

US Dept Of War Shares Video Of Air Strikes In Nigeria

Published

on

A video footage of the US military air strikes in Nigeria has emerged.

The video was released by the US Department of War following its air strikes against terrorists in Sokoto.

Earlier, the US secretary of War, Pete Hegseth had confirmed that military air strikes hit terrorists in Nigerians, saying it was deadly.

Advertisement

Later on, the US. African Command, confirmed that it conducted the attacks described as very deadly by President Donald Trump.

Trump said he was only keeping the promise he made earlier last month to strike the terrorists he believes are killing innocent Christians.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: US Forces Bomb Terrorists Camps In Nigeria

Advertisement

Although described as powerful and deadly, the casualty caused by the attack is yet to be released.

Explaining further, security expert, Brant Philip, said the strikes may have been launched “from the USS Paul Ignatius, using a Tomahawk missile.”

The Nigerian government through its ministry of foreign affairs has also confirmed that the strikes were successful.

Advertisement

Watch video here

Continue Reading

Trending