George Ruto shares lessons he learnt from watching his father rise to presidency
President William Ruto’s son, George Ruto, has opened up about the values and life lessons he has picked up from his father, saying discipline, consistency, and taking risks have played a major role in shaping his outlook on life.
Speaking during an interview at the launch of the Miss International Beauty Pageant on Saturday, June 13, 2026, George was asked what stands out most about his father’s journey from a chicken seller to becoming Kenya’s president.
You might also like
In response, he reflected on years of watching his father work towards his goals and the lessons that continue to influence him today.
The power of small daily efforts
According to George, one of the biggest lessons he learned from his father is the importance of consistency. He explained that success is not always about major achievements but rather the small steps taken every day towards a bigger goal, and he often applies what he calls the “1 per cent rule” in his own life and career.
“Since I was born in 1998, my father has worked all his life, and I think that continuous step by step doing 1 per cent every day. I always quote the 1% rule by saying every day do small incremental steps that will get you to your final goal,” he said.
He added that his father’s journey remains one of the most remarkable stories of perseverance he has witnessed. “He came from grass to grace. I mean, there is no such story as that that we will ever see again,” he stated.
Advice that stayed with him
Beyond hard work, George revealed that his father taught him the importance of giving his best in everything he does. He said the advice has guided him through his business ventures and personal growth.
“The greatest piece of advice I’ve ever received from him in my career and lifetime is that he always used to say, whatever you do, do it to your utmost best,” George said.
George noted that the lesson was never about impressing others but about working with purpose and commitment.”Don’t do it because someone is watching, do it because you want to do it and it is coming from your heart,” he noted.
Why taking risks matters
The entrepreneur also spoke about the role risk-taking has played in his journey. George, who has previously spoken about his involvement in business and youth-focused projects, said growth often comes from stepping into unfamiliar territory.
“One thing also about business that I always say, no risk, no story,” he noted.
He encouraged young people not to be afraid of taking chances, saying opportunities often come from actions many people hesitate to take.
Keeping faith during difficult moments
George admitted that building a career is not always easy and that self-doubt can sometimes creep in. He said there are moments when he questions his path, but he continues moving forward by focusing on little progress each day.
“I always take risks every single day to get where I am. Sometimes one feels like giving up. Ninety-nine per cent of the time, I start questioning why I’m doing this, what brought me here, but with the 1 per cent every single day, you’ll finally get there,” he stated.
His remarks come after he spoke about experiencing financial struggles despite coming from a well-known family. During the same event, George explained that challenges affect everyone regardless of their background, while emphasising the importance of hard work, resilience, and creating opportunities through business and sport.
