William Ruto is serving his first term as the president of the republic of Kenya. The constitution allows to serve for another one term of five years. This means he is eligible to defend his seat in 2027 general election. If he wins, he will retire in 2032.
Besides being the president of kenya, Ruto is also the political kingpin of Kalenjin community. He took the mantle from the former president Daniel Moi and has managed to maintain the community united under his leadership.
Ruto always gives the Kalenjin community political direction and that has been evident in the previous elections. In 2007, Ruto supported Raila Odinga and the Kalenjins voted for the ODM party leader.
Ruto supported Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 and 2017 elections and the Kalenjin community did not disappoint him on the ballot. He vied for the top seat in 2022 and they still voted for him. These scenarios just show how Ruto is influential in Kalenjinland.
In case Ruto retires from politics, there could be a need for the community to have his successor. Here are his potential successor as the Kalenjin spokesperson;
1. Gideon Moi
He is the son of the former president Daniel Moi. He served as the senator for Baringo county from 2013 to 2022. He is also the party leader of KANU which is currently the oldest party in Kenya.
Gideon Moi lost his seat in 2022 to the late William Cheptum. This happened after he went against William Ruto and supported Raila in the presidential race.
During the burial of his father, Gideon Moi was handed the rungu that was used by his father as a symbol of power by the elders of the community. In 2021, elders from the Talai clan crowned him as the community spokesperson. Gideon has the potential of becoming the next Kalenjin kingpin if they can solve the fued between him and president William Ruto.
2. Kipchumba Murkomen
He is the current Cabinet Secretary for Interior. Before he was first appointed the CS for Roads and Transport before Ruto reshuffled the cabinet last year. He also served as the senator for Elgeyo Marakwet between 2013 and 2022.
Murkomen is Ruto’s close ally and has been together with him through thick and thin. He looks to be the next big thing in Kalenjin community. He can easily become the next Kalenjin kingpin especially if he gets the support of William Ruto.
About The Author
