William Ruto, born 21 December 1966 in Sambut village, Kamagut, to Daniel Cheruiyot and Sarah Cheruiyot, started his political career in 1992 when he was elected as Organizing secretary of Youth for Kanu, a group that drummed up support for then President Moi in the 1992 elections.
He ensured victory for Moi until 2002 when he supported Uhuru Kenyatta as the presidential candidate. He came second after Mwai Kibaki.