#DrWilliamRuto: Kenyan Deputy President Bags PhD

Deputy president of Kenya, William Ruto is trending on social media with the hash-tag #DrWilliamRuto and it is not because he has been involved in a scandal, won an election or indicted for corruption. Rather, in what appears to be a route less taken by African politicians who have attained high positions in power, Ruto has accomplished the rare feat of going back to the classrooms. He graduated today with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Plant Ecology from the prestigious University of Nairobi (UoN).

Ruto enrolled for the course in August 2012 but was not able to graduate with his class two years ago because according to the University, he failed to meet the necessary requirements. He has however taken the extra two years to put his acts together which has enabled him to graduate with the current class.

As part of the graduation requirement, Ruto submitted a thesis titled ‘Influence of human activities on land use changes on environmental quality of riparian ecosystems: A case study of Saiwa Swamp watershed, Western Kenya’ – in September this year.

Born on December 21, 1966, and exactly 52-years-old today, the Deputy President has a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany and Zoology and a Master’s Degree in Plant Ecology.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Kenya's president, Uhuru Kenyatta, and other dignitaries.

In what appears to be a perfect combo – whether it was staged or otherwise, Ruto is graduating on a day which is also his birthday and marriage anniversary.

Today is his 27 years marriage anniversary to his wife, Rachel Ruto.

Reactions have continued to trail the announcement of the news from within and outside Kenya with many congratulating him and wishing him the best in his endeavors.

Some critics, however, have used the opportunity to question the authenticity of his degree and remind the world of a few ‘not-too-good’ memories in Ruto’s political career.

A Kenyan who commented on Twitter took a swipe at Ruto for his foreign trips.

The Twitter user with handle @Abalakinyua said:

“When did the so-called #DrWilliamRuto attend classes with all the trips he makes across the country? When did he sit for exams and read for them? Msitubebe maembe maembe”

What are your thoughts?

Header Photo Credit: Twitter