President William Ruto revealed that the late President Daniel arap Moi once gave him a direct hotline to State House, a privilege reserved for very few officials.
President William Ruto on Monday offered a personal account of his political rise, revealing that during his early years in government, he was trusted so deeply by Daniel arap Moi that the former President gave him a personal telephone line to State House.
“I became the only Assistant Minister with a hotline to the President,” Ruto said, drawing laughter from the audience. “That phone had no secretaries; if it rang, you knew it was the President himself calling.”
The President made the remarks during the launch of Major (Rtd) Marsden Madoka’s memoir, At The Ready, at State House, Nairobi, describing how the late Moi shaped his early leadership path.
Ruto recalled that his journey was not always smooth, noting how he once found himself on the wrong side of KANU’s leadership.
“When I first ran for Parliament, I was not in very good books with the KANU government,” he said.
He narrated that Moi publicly dismissed his early political ambitions while campaigning in Eldoret, asking voters to elect “those who were known” instead of “some characters running around.”
“I was in that crowd,” Ruto quipped. “But I ran anyway and won the nominations against the odds.”
The President also shared how religious leaders and elders, led by Bishop Ezekiel Yego of the Africa Inland Church (AIC), mediated between him and Moi after their political differences.
“They told me, ‘Moi is like your father, and you are a Christian, show respect.’ They cornered me, and I had to tone down,” he said with a smile.
Ruto fondly remembered his time working under Major Madoka, whom he described as both a mentor and disciplinarian.
“Madoka was my boss and mentor. He taught me discipline, patience, and respect,” he said.
He also lightened the mood with a humorous recollection of Madoka’s office habits.
“Marsden didn’t go for lunch; he preferred to nap in his office. He even tried to convince me to join him, but I failed,” Ruto joked.
The President lauded Moi and Madoka for their influence on his leadership philosophy.
“Moi showed me that leadership is not about where you come from but how you serve,” he said.
He praised Madoka’s memoir, describing it as a vital record of Kenya’s political heritage.
“At The Ready is a reflection of a generation that served with humility and selflessness. Through his story, future generations will understand the sacrifices that built this nation,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Ruto challenged today’s leaders to uphold excellence and integrity in public service.
“We cannot continue to make peace with mediocrity,” he said. “We must raise the bar and move from the ordinary to the extraordinary.”
The event, attended by senior government officials and political veterans, highlighted a blend of nostalgia and reflection as President Ruto connected his formative political years with Kenya’s evolving leadership journey.
