Kenya · Head of state and government

William Samoei Ruto

President of the Republic of Kenya.

Office

President of the Republic of Kenya

In office since

13 September 2022

Born

1966

How Ruto took office

He was sworn in as President on 13 September 2022, Britannica and Anadolu Agency report. Britannica reports that he won the August 2022 general election. He had served as Deputy President since April 2013.^2,3

Career

1. April 2013 to 2022Deputy President of Kenya under President Uhuru Kenyatta^2,3
2. 13 September 2022 to presentPresident of Kenya^2,3,1

Notable facts

• 5 April 2016: On 5 April 2016 Trial Chamber V(A) of the International Criminal Court decided, by majority, that the charges against him and Joshua Arap Sang were vacated and the case was terminated. The Court stated that the decision does not preclude new prosecution in the future, either at the ICC or in a national jurisdiction, and described the termination as without prejudice to re-prosecution.⁴

Career facts only, from official biographies and reputable news reports. Checked 28 October 2026. Office holders change: see the sources for the latest.

Sources

1. United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service, Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs (list dated 20 October 2026) (20 October 2026)
2. Encyclopaedia Britannica, William Ruto (Britannica biography) (28 October 2026)
3. Anadolu Agency, William Samoei Ruto sworn in as Kenya's new president (13 September 2022)
4. International Criminal Court, Ruto and Sang case: ICC Trial Chamber V(A) terminates the case without prejudice to re-prosecution in future (5 April 2016)