Ruto named among 100 most influential Africans of 2023

President William Ruto has been listed among the 100 most influential Africans in 2023 by the New African magazine.

The acknowledgement comes just a few months after other organizations named him as an influential leader due to the initiatives that have made him recognized globally.

This time, the New African magazine, noted that the Kenyan Head of State has changed the position of Africa in the climate change debate.

"In one swoop he changed the position of Africa from that of a back seat passenger in the climate crisis discussion to being a lead navigator - an outstanding achievement for the continent."

“In a little over a year since he was elected President of Kenya, William Ruto has displayed a remarkable combination of steely resolve with disarming charm,” added the Magazine

The President was named alongside his Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu, Mamady Doumbouya, the interim President of Guinea, Nigerian businessman and industrialist Aliko Dangote, Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, Benedict Oramah, the President of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), Ngozi Okonjo Iweala who is an economist and the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, and Morocco’s Bahija Jalal who directed cancer medication breakthrough among others.

In Kenya, other than President Ruto, Equity Group CEO James Mwangi, World 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, Environmentalist Wanjira Mathai, and Historian Chao Maina made it to the list.

Others included Climate Strategist James Irungu, Celebrity Chef Ali Mandhry, filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu, and Marathoner Kelvin Kiptum.

Last month, American 'Time Magazine' also named the President one of the top 100 most influential leaders worldwide.

He was named alongside the mayor of Sierra Leone's capital Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.

Burkinabé-German architect Francis Kéré and Ethiopian climate entrepreneur Kidus Asfaw also made the list.

They were the only four Africans on Time's climate champions list.

In January last year, Ruto was named in the top 100 most reputable Africans.

According to Reputation Poll International, the president was recognized in the 2023 list under the Governance and policy category.

President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera was also named under the Governance and Policy section, while Kenya's Chief Justice Martha Koome also made it to the list under the Human Rights Advocacy category.

In December 2022, Ruto was named the most influential African leader on Twitter.

According to a report released by a global communications agency, BCW Twiplomacy, Ruto also emerged as 13 out of the 50 most influential world leaders.

This happens despite local opinion polls rating the Dr Ruto-led administration poorly on performance with the latest poll by being by Infotrak research and consulting company five days ago indicating that the government scored a D plain by getting 47 per cent approval.

In the polls, Ruto has scored a 50 per cent approval rating in Rift Valley, 41 per cent in Nyanza and 48 per cent in Nairobi.

Gachagua scored 37 per cent in Rift Valley, 29 per cent in Nyanza and 34 per cent in Nairobi.

The research was conducted between December 18 and 19, 2023, in all 47 counties with 1,500 Kenyans involved in the survey.

Kenyans mentioned the high cost of living, high taxation, unemployment and corruption as the leading issues that the government needs to address immediately.