President Ruto's childhood friends speak on his rise

The friends who travelled over 300 kilometres to witness the swearing-in of President Ruto say just like the rest of Kenyans they expect the new administration to focus on improving a battered economy and empowering small businesses.

As President William Ruto’s convoy made its way to Moi Sports Centre Kasarani along Ngong road for the swearing-in ceremony, the group of well-dressed men lined up along the road waving at the Incoming President. Clement Kosgei alias Kilemende, Dr. Joseph Choge and Isaac Maiyo are among the few people who saw the rise of President Ruto from a kindergarten pupil in 1970s.

“Mimi nilisoma na William tangu nursery, tukaenda primary alafu tukakaa pamoja village moja baada ya primary ndio kila mtu akajiendea secondary school," says Clement Kosgei, President Ruto’s Friend.

Dr. Joseph Choge, also a friend of President Ruto, says: “I was his head boy in primary school, we grew up together, I saw him hustle, I saw him play football barefoot."

On his part, Ruto's friend Isaac Maiyo noted: “Namjua kama mtu ambaye hasahau marafiki wake kwa sababu urafiki wangu tulianza tangu primary, tukaenda shule ya upili, kuingia kwake kwa siasa nikawa campaign wake." 

The friends could not hide their joy as one of their childhood friends and village mate was sworn in as the 5th President of Kenya.

"Nitafurahia vile amepata hiyo kiti ya urais leo kwa sababu ni mtu yangu... unajua ni maajabu sana mtu mwenye mlisoma na yeye primary hivi awe Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya na bado ni rafiki tangu hiyo wakati nafurahi sana sina hata hiyo maneno mingi…," said Clement Kosgei, President Ruto’s Friend.

"I’m so excited to be able to see him being sworn in I’m so proud because he has set a very good example for many of us including myself," said Dr. Joseph Choge.

Kilemendi first hit the headlines in 2016 during the burial of President Ruto’s brother Harisson Kiptoo in Kamagut when the President who was serving as the Deputy President told mourners how his schoolmate was finding it difficult to address him using his official name. Kilemendi now says things will change since his friend is now the Head of State.  

“Watu wengi hapa nilisoma nao hapa shule na mara nyingi wanapata matatizo kujua ya kwamba mimi ni naibu rais wa Kenya mara nyingi wanakuja hapa wananiambia wewe William namna gani wewe kuna mwingine hapo anaitwa Kilemendi nilikuwa na yeye hapa jana lakini vile sasa wamekuona kama Rais wamesema pengine iko maneno…," Ruto said in 2016.  

“Nafikiria mambo sasa imebadilika kwa sababu yeye amekuwa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya na heshima zote za rais hata tukiwa watoto tulikuwa tunaogopa kukaribia Rais," says Clement.

President Ruto’s friends believe he is best suited for the job going by his previous performance in school, as their area member of parliament and his touch with issues affecting the common man.

“Ruto ametoka kwa ile maisha ya chini na anaelewa shida ya mwananchi ule wa chini akiwa amekuwa rais huezi muelezea kwa sababu yeye anajua maisha ya chini ni nini kwa sababu tulikuwa tunatembea bila vyatu hatukuli chakula mzuri…," says Clement Kosgei.

The friends who were not shocked by his win as he has never lost an election since 1997 were among thousands who were invited to State House for a luncheon with the President and other invited heads of state hope that they will make more trips to the house on the hill to chat with their longtime friend who is now the face of Kenya.