William Ruto’s Swollen Ankles: Is the President Suffering from Lymphedema or Arthritis?

An image of President William Ruto has emerged online, showing Ruto wearing black unisex shoes. While the president appears relaxed, what has caught the attention of onliners is the obvious swelling which shows on Ruto’s ankles and hands. The shoe model suggests that the president can no longer wear laced shoes.

William Ruto has had no public record of illness, and neither does he have a public record of hospitalization; however, the visible swellings on his limbs leave no doubt that something could be fatally wrong with the Doyen. Tongues are wagging.

As Kenya slides into crisis with the government attempting mass murder of Kenyans through the legalization and importation of GMOs, the president’s health could be on a downward spiral, and it may just be a matter of time before he is probably incapacitated or officially checked into a hospital for brother Riga, the flamboyant Deputy President, to start acting as president.

Sources close to State House are tight-lipped as to what could be amiss with the Doyen. In the absence of official information, speculation is slowly creeping in to fill the info vacuum. All said, what could be the problem with the Doyen? Why is his foot swollen? When exactly did it start?

According to Dr Neville Spencer, a Consultant we spoke to, the president could be suffering from a number of diseases which may not have been revealed to the public. The Doctor said that there are a number of diseases and conditions that can cause swelling in the ankles on both legs. Some of the more common ones include:

1. Venous insufficiency: This occurs when the valves in the veins that are responsible for circulating blood back to the heart are not functioning properly. This can cause blood to pool in the veins, leading to swelling.

2. Lymphedema: This is a condition in which the lymphatic system is not able to properly drain fluid from the tissues. This can lead to swelling, particularly in the lower limbs.

3. Kidney disease: Kidney disease can cause fluid retention, which can lead to swelling in the ankles and legs. Kidney disease is very serious because, in the event of kidney failure, the president may soon end up in a dialysis machine, making him unable to conduct his duties.

4. Heart Disease: This occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood effectively. This can cause fluid to build up in the body, leading to swellings in the body, including ankles.

5. Standing for long periods of time: This can cause swelling in the ankles and legs due to the pooling of blood in the veins. During campaigns, it is obvious that the president had to stand for long hours. Could this have led to the swollen ankles?

6. Cancer: This can cause fluid to build up in the body, leading to swelling. Cancer can cause swelling in the ankles or legs due to a build-up of fluid in the tissues. This is called lymphedema. Lymphedema can occur when the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and nodes that helps to circulate lymph fluid throughout the body. Lymph fluid contains white blood cells, which help to fight infection. When the lymphatic system is damaged, lymph fluid can build up and cause swelling.

7. Arthritis: This can cause inflammation and fluid build-up in the joints, leading to swelling. Arthritis is a condition that leads to swelling in the ankles or legs due to inflammation in the joints. The swelling is caused by the build-up of fluid in the tissues around the joints. The build-up of fluid leads to pressure on the nerves and blood vessels, which can cause pain and numbness in the affected area.

8. Gout: A gout is a form of arthritis that leads to swelling in the ankles or legs. The cause of the swelling is the build-up of uric acid in the joints. When uric acid crystallizes, it can cause inflammation and pain. In some cases, uric acid can also build up in the kidneys and cause kidney stones.

9. Infection: When the body is fighting an infection, inflammation occurs as part of the immune response. This can cause the blood vessels to dilate and the tissues to fill with fluid. This can cause swelling, particularly in the extremities, such as the ankles.

10. Thyroid disease: Thyroid disease can cause swelling of the ankles because the thyroid gland regulates the body’s metabolism. When the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, the body’s metabolism can become imbalanced, causing fluid retention and swelling in the ankles and feet.

11. Insect bites:  Insect bites can cause swelling of the ankles because the venom from the bite can cause the area to become inflamed. The venom causes the blood vessels to dilate, which allows more blood to flow to the area and causes the tissue to swell. In some cases, the swelling can be severe enough to cause the area to become hot, red, and painful.

12. Achilles tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the large rope-like tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis can cause swelling of the ankles because the inflammation can cause the tendon to rub against the surrounding tissues, including the skin. The rubbing can irritate the skin and cause swelling. Achilles tendonitis is often caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon, such as during sports that involve running and jumping. Could the campaigns have had a toll on Doyen’s achilles tendon?

13. Renal failure: Renal failure can cause fluid retention and electrolyte imbalances, which can lead to swelling of the ankles. When the kidneys are not able to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, the fluid builds up in the body and causes swelling. Electrolyte imbalances can also cause fluid to build up in the body and lead to swelling.

14. Liver cirrhosis: Liver cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and is unable to function properly. This can cause a build-up of fluid in the abdomen, known as ascites, and can also cause swelling in the ankles and legs. The fluid build-up is caused by increased pressure in the veins that carry blood from the intestines and other organs back to the heart. The increased pressure causes the veins to leak fluid, which accumulates in the abdomen and legs. Liver cirrhosis can also cause a build-up of toxins in the blood, which can lead to neurological problems and can also cause the liver to become enlarged, which can cause pain in the abdomen.

15. Deep vein thrombosis: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. This can cause the leg to swell and can be very painful. If the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it can be fatal. DVT is a serious condition that requires medical treatment.

Whatever is going on with President Ruto’s health, things might not be as good as it looks. The Kenyan public deserves an explanation from  State House or government spokesperson as to what could be amiss. Without information from a credible source, Kenyans will have to brace for yet another season of speculation galore to blend with the GMO debate.

Kenneth Mwasikia

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