The President of Kenya is the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.
This role leads the executive branch of the government. However, Kenya became a republic on 12 December 1964, with Jomo Kenyatta as its first president. Since then, the country has had five presidents.
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No | Name | Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jomo Kenyatta | 12 December 1964 - 22 August 1978 | KANU |
2 | Daniel arap Moi | 22 August 1978 - 30 December 2002 | KANU |
3 | Mwai Kibaki | 30 December 2002 - 9 April 2013 | NARC (until 2007), PNU (2007-2013) |
4 | Uhuru Kenyatta | 9 April 2013 - 13 September 2022 | TNA (until Sept. 2016), Jubilee |
5 | William Ruto | 13 September 2022 - Present | UDA |
Who Was The First President Of Kenya After Independence?
The first president of Kenya after independence was Jomo Kenyatta. Kenya gained independence from British rule on December 12, 1963, and one year later, in December 1964, the country officially became a republic.
At that point, Jomo Kenyatta was made the executive president, meaning he held the roles of head of state and head of government.
Kenyatta’s presidency was influential in helping Kenya’s early years as an independent nation. During his leadership, the government introduced constitutional changes that gave Kenyatta more power.
For example, in 1966, a new law allowed the president to detain people without trial if he felt the country’s security was in danger.
Kenyatta aimed to unite the country and appointed Oginga Odinga, a leader from the Luo community, as his vice president.
However, the Kikuyu ethnic group, to which Kenyatta belonged, held most of the high-ranking positions in government. This made some people feel that independence had only replaced British dominance with Kikuyu dominance.
Kenyatta encouraged forgiveness for past colonial injustices and kept many colonial systems, such as the police and military, in place.
His government also promote African culture and reduce the influence of colonial symbols. Efforts were made to support traditional African arts, rename colonial streets, and make Swahili a national language.
Economically, Kenyatta focused on growth, welcoming foreign investment while promoting African-owned businesses.
However, his family gained wealth through large land purchases, which led to accusations of corruption. In all of the challenges, Kenya’s economy grew quickly under Kenyatta, especially through cash crops like tea and coffee.
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Who Is The Current President Of Kenya?
The current president of Kenya is William Ruto. He officially began his term on 13 September 2022, following an inauguration ceremony held at Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.
The event was led by Chief Justice Martha Koome and attended by over 20 heads of state and government. The day was declared a public holiday, and many Kenyans came to witness the historic moment.
Despite some chaos as people tried to enter the stadium, the ceremony went on peacefully. After taking office, President Ruto announced plans to fight climate change.
One of his goals is to stop using fossil fuels for electricity in Kenya by the year 2030. He also launched the Hustler Fund, a program to provide small loans to Kenyans.
His government is focused on reducing poverty, improving the economy, and creating opportunities for everyone, especially the marginalized.
In his first year as president, Ruto made several important trips, including attending the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in the UK and addressing the United Nations General Assembly.
He spoke about tackling global problems like climate change, increasing investment in Africa, and giving African nations more representation at the UN.
In 2023, Ruto proposed privatizing some public companies to reduce government expenses. By 2024, he faced challenges, including protests over tax increases.
His administration also signed a deal with Germany to allow up to 250,000 Kenyans to work there. However, this agreement raised concerns about skilled workers leaving Kenya for better opportunities abroad.
Ruto has been involved in several land-related controversies. These include disputes over the Weston Hotel land and other properties.
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Who Is The Current Deputy President Of Kenya?
The current Deputy President of Kenya is His Excellency Kithure Kindiki. He officially assumed office on November 1, 2024, following the impeachment of the former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.
Kindiki works closely with President William Ruto under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. However, Kindiki served as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration between 2022 and 2024.
He was also a Senator for Tharaka-Nithi County from 2013 to 2022. Born on July 17, 1972, in Tharaka, Meru District, Kindiki pursued his education at Lenana School and later Tharaka Boys High School.
After completing secondary school, he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Moi University in 1998. He went on to receive a Master of Laws in International Human Rights Law from the University of Pretoria in 2000 and later completed his PhD in International Law in 2002.
Kindiki began his career as a law lecturer at Moi University and later became the head of the Public Law Department. His political career began when he was elected as a Senator in 2013, having served as the Senate’s first Majority Leader and later became Deputy Speaker, although he was impeached from that position in 2020.
