Ruto: ‘When I finish my Presidency, I will become an evangelist’

thenamlola(at)gmail.com

President William Ruto on Friday offered one of his most personal reflections yet on faith and life after politics, telling church leaders at State House Nairobi that he intends to become an evangelist once he leaves office.

The remarks came during a fellowship meeting attended by Evangelical, Pentecostal and Indigenous Christian leaders, including representatives affiliated with the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK).

Dr Ruto, who frequently references scripture in public addresses, wove biblical principles into his speech--a hallmark of his political communication style.

“By me standing here today, it is evidence that the prayers you pray, Mungu anajibu,” he told the congregation.

At several points, he turned to the Bible to frame governance choices.

Citing Proverbs 22:7, he warned against debt dependency.

“The borrower is a slave of the lender--and we do not want to be slaves of anybody.”

The verse, which he has quoted repeatedly in defence of his administration’s fiscal reforms, has become central to his economic messaging--presenting austerity and revenue measures as moral as well as policy decisions.

He also invoked the biblical principle (Proverbs 13:22) that a good man leaves an inheritance for his children, linking it to savings, institutional stability and long-term economic planning.

Dr Ruto described himself not as a ruler but as a steward.

“I am your employee.”

But it was his closing declaration that stood out.

“When I finish this job of being President, I will become an evangelist.”

Delivered without hesitation, the statement drew applause and appeared to crystallise what many of his allies have long observed: that Dr Ruto’s political identity is deeply intertwined with his Christian faith.

Throughout his career--from campaign rallies to national addresses--he has openly blended scripture with statecraft, often portraying leadership as a divine assignment rather than merely a constitutional mandate.

Whether Friday’s remarks signal a personal calling beyond politics or simply reaffirm a long-standing faith posture remains to be seen.

What is clear is that Ruto continues to frame his presidency not just in political terms, but in spiritual ones--casting governance as stewardship, and public service as an extension of belief.