Ruto’s High School Letter Expressed Christian Faith, Passion, and Commitment To Hard Work.
A letter uncovered by Citizen TV reveals that President-elect William Ruto’s determination to succeed in life dates back to his high school years.
The 1984 letter written by young William Ruto as he completed his O-levels reveals a young man intent on leadership, academic excellence, and practicing a solid Christian faith.
He received a letter in early 1981 informing him that he had been accepted to Wareng Secondary School for his O-Level studies.
Peter Waweru was a teacher at the school when William Ruto enrolled there:
“I was transferred immediately after taking William Ruto as Form One; when I came to see if they had reported, I saw a small boy with very bright eyes; the image has never left my mind.”
By his admission, in an essay he wrote as he left the school for his A-levels at Kapsabet High School, the school was young Ruto’s home for four years, during which he thoroughly enjoyed his studies.
“He was a dreamer, and he dreamed big,” Mr. Waweru said. “We found a letter he wrote as he was leaving school, but it was unaddressed, so we do not know who he addressed it to.”
At the time, the letter read like his biography. The president-elect describes his family history, including his birth date, birthplace, and family size.
In the essay, he states, “There are 20 bodies in my family: a father, two wives, nine brothers, seven sisters, and a grandmother.”
The essay also describes the president-elect’s high school triumphs and struggles.
He writes, “ In school, I enjoyed literature as a favourite subject. Others are English, CRE, Maths, and Geography.”
“Despite other subjects like Maths and Chemistry being hard, I have liked them so much.”
Because he was so fond of Literature, he aspired to become a writer.
In the same essay, he states that literature was his best subject, and “with God’s help, I hope to write at least one book in the future.”
These ambitions appear to have shifted from an author to a shrewd politician, who is now at the top of his game and days away from assuming the country’s leadership position.
As he stated in 1984, “I know that success is the result of hard work,” this aspect of his accomplishments has remained constant.
This work ethic was evident even during his time at Wareng, as evidenced by the fact that he consistently ranked in the top ten throughout his school career and maintained a top-ten academic standing.
Mr. Waweru stated, “He was a very brilliant student”. He was at the top of his class, and his index number was 3.
In addition to academics, the incoming president describes how his leadership skills and strong Christian values were honed and shaped at this institution.
He writes, “I have been able to meet several obstacles, but because of my Christian stand, I have been managed to conquer all, as the hostel captain I have found problems here and there, since where food is concerned, there is always a lot of problems, but because of my bravery and christian stand, I have managed to go through,” he writes.
“His leadership abilities were honed here; he was chairman of the Christian Union (CU), he was chairman of CU, he was captain of the hostel and a good volleyball player. He was a student with a severe illness, and he was a dreamer who dreamed big,” Mr. Waweru explained.
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Since the president-elect left the institution in the early 1980s, a great deal has changed. For example, due to the cold that penetrated its thin wooden walls, a dormitory nicknamed Siberia is no longer used as student housing.
The incoming president partially funds the infrastructure upgrades.
Julius Kamatei, the school’s current principal, says, “We are seated next to a building that he supported to be built, and we are extremely grateful for the support that he has given us. We believe and trust that he has us in mind.”
Wareng is now poised to join the educational institutions that have shaped the country’s leadership when power is transferred to William Ruto on Tuesday, and he becomes the fifth president.
Ruto’s High School Letter Expressed Christian Faith, Passion, and Commitment To Hard Work
