Kibet Farouk
Farouk Kibet, fondly nicknamed “Teigut” by his close political allies, has long been a trusted aide to President William Ruto. A native of Kapkechui-Chepsaita in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County, Kibet’s journey alongside Ruto began in 1997 when he played a key role in the current president’s successful campaign for the Eldoret North MP seat. This marked the start of his position as Ruto’s right-hand man.
Kibet’s political roots trace back to the KANU era, where he made his mark as a party activist in Eldoret North Constituency. Over the years, he climbed the ranks to become one of the president’s closest confidants. During the 2007 general election campaigns, he was nominated as a councillor in the now-defunct Wareng County Council. This position allowed him to build connections with influential figures in both corporate and political circles.
However, Kibet’s political career has not been without controversy. After the post-election violence of 2008, he was among those arrested in connection with the skirmishes in the North Rift but was later released. He also became a figure of interest in the infamous Sh791 million National Youth Service (NYS) scandal. Anne Waiguru, then the Devolution Cabinet Secretary, named him as one of the beneficiaries of the loot.
Despite his prominence, Kibet maintains an air of mystery. Details about his life, including his education beyond primary school, remain elusive, even to the media. This enigmatic nature has only added to his shadowy reputation in Kenyan politics.