10 things you didnt know about President Uhuru Kenyatta

Uhuru Kenyatta has served as the fourth president of Kenya since his inauguration in April 2013, but he has been a prominent member in Kenyan politics for much longer. Although most of his private life has remained private, here are 10 things you didn’t know about Uhuru Kenyatta. “Uhuru,” is Swahili for “freedom” The son of Kenya’s founding father, Jomo Kenyatta, Uhuru Kenyatta was brought up in a world of political awareness and participation. His name was given to him in anticipation of Kenya’s upcoming independence from the U.K. Kenyatta played rugby growing up While attending St. Mary’s, a Roman Catholic school in Nairobi, Kenyatta played winger for the school’s rugby team. He attended St. Mary’s until he left for the U.S. to attend university. He studied political science at Amherst College in the U.S. While it is common knowledge that Kenyatta attended Amherst, little He threatened to quit politics after losing the 1997 Gatundu South Constituency Parliamentary seat Having campaigned in the election with a strong foundation of supporters and name recognition — the seat was formerly held by his father — Kenyatta was shocked when he lost to a little-known Nairobi architect, Moses Mwihia. He retreated to work in the family business for a time — an empire that dealt in hotels, airlines, and commercial farming. Former President Moi’s assistance to Kenyatta came at his own expense Kenyatta was appointed as the Kenya African National Union presidential candidate in 2002, a feat accomplished only through the political maneuvering of then-President Daniel arap Moi. Several senior party figures who saw their own ambitions thwarted resigned and set up the Liberal Democratic Party to oppose Moi and his administration. Kenyatta is often viewed as one of the country’s most tech-savvy politicians In the midst of Kenya’s budget discussion in 2011, Kenyatta invited Kenyans to tweet their views and opinions to the government in an effort to broaden public participation in the country’s political process. While it endeared him to many, the move did not resonate with the majority of the country’s population who did not have access to the Internet. He was elected president following allegations of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court In 2010, Kenyatta was named in connection with alleged crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court over the violent aftermath of the 2007 election in Naivasha and Nakuru. The charges were confirmed in January 2012, but Kenyatta still managed to win the presidential election in March 2013. Kenyatta initially dismissed the ICC charges, but later chose to honor them Kenyatta appeared before the ICC in January 2012 with his two other suspects — Civil Servant Ambassador Francis Muthaura and former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali. The charges were confirmed. Kenyatta had previously ignored several summons from the international court, but it is suspected that he changed his mind after realizing the evidence against him was, for the most part, underwhelming. Kenyatta’s economic plan, Vision 2030, is a direct answer to Kenyans’ discontent The plan, announced during Kenyatta’s inaugural address in 2013, promotes free maternal care at public health facilities for all citizens, improved standards of education, and unity among Kenyans. In his first year in office, public approval has not improved dramatically. His administration continues to struggle with the high cost of living and rising public debt. He has an estimated net worth of $500 million In large part thanks to his family’s expansive business interests, Kenyatta is one of the wealthiest men in his country, with an estimated net worth of $500 million USD