What’s in a name? Some may ask. A name is a unique personal identity. But often times you meet someone who shares a first name or surname. It is interesting to meet a full namesake, someone you share both maiden name and surname.
And what if that namesake is the President? Things can’t get so trickier than this. Yet that is the situation that the Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director finds himself in. Captain William Kipkemboi Ruto is officially known by the name William Ruto, which also happens to be President William Samoei Ruto’s official name.
Well, well…it is not every day that you find a president sharing a name with someone especially in Kenya where past presidents have had somewhat unique names. From Jomo Kenyatta down to Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta there has been no known public record of a namesake of the president.
At KPA, captain William Ruto must be evoking curious glances when his full name is called out in meeting and other events. As things stand, it is pure coincidence and nothing unusual about it. After all, you can easily get dozens of John Mwangis, Jackson Otienos or James Wafulas. What’s improbable is finding a president with a similar name.
It is not even clear if William Kipkemboi Ruto the MD is related to Dr William Samoei Ruto the President.
So, who is William Kipkemboi Ruto? On 10th March 2023 the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Roads and Transport announced the appointment of Captain William Kipkemboi Ruto as the Managing Director of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) for a period of three years.
The position had been vacant for the past three years. “It is my belief that his wealth of experience spanning 32 years will be instrumental in ensuring the Authority delivers on its mandate to the people of Kenya and continues to contribute towards the growth of the Kenyan economy,” said Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
By Business Today