DP Ruto graduates with PhD on his wedding anniversary

Deputy President William Kipchirchir Samoei Ruto is today graduating with a PhD in Plant Ecology.

Deputy President William Kipchirchir Samoei Ruto today gets to add the title Dr. to his name as he graduates with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Plant Ecology from the University of Nairobi.

The deputy president will also be marking his 52nd birthday as well as his 27th wedding anniversary today as he graduates.  

Deputy President Ruto with his wife Rachael Ruto will be celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary today.

Ruto who has been pursuing the doctorate since 2012, submitted his thesis titled Influence of human activities on land use changes on environmental quality of riparian ecosystems: A case study of Saiwa Swamp watershed, Western Kenya in September 2018.

He submitted the thesis in September, six years after his project was approved in August 2012. He defended his thesis on October 2 and his research was approved the following day.

Prior to this, Ruto pursued a Bachelor's degree in Botany and Zoology, graduated in 1990 from the University of Nairobi.

Years later, Ruto enrolled for a Master's degree in Plant Ecology and graduated in 2011.

Today Ruto is a happy man as he celebrates this major education milestone. However, it has not been a walk in the park, Ruto would have been conferred with the doctoral degree two years ago.

The DP failed to graduate then as he did not meet some of the set standards and requirements.

At the time, he said, "I urge all colleges to observe set standard and award certificates to students purely on merit."

In a Tweet, he added, "As a PhD student, I have subjected myself to that standard. I was due to graduate … but I can't because of requirements."

Also graduating today is Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa with a Master's degree in Law from the University of Nairobi.

This is a refreshing change as various political leaders have in the past been accused of allegedly presenting fake academic certificates when vying for elective positions.