Rachel Ruto
Current First Lady of Kenya
Rachel Ruto | |
|---|---|
 Rachel Ruto in 2022 | |
| First Lady of Kenya | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed role 13 September 2022 | |
| President | William Ruto |
| Preceded by | Margaret Kenyatta |
| Second Lady of Kenya | |
| In role 9 April 2013 – 13 September 2022 | |
| President | Uhuru Kenyatta |
| Preceded by | Pauline Musyoka |
| Succeeded by | Dorcas Gachagua |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rachel Chebet (1969-11-20) 20 November 1969 (age 54) Likuyani, Kakamega, Kenya. |
| Political party | UDA |
| Spouse | William Ruto (m. 1991) |
| Children | 6, including Charlene Ruto |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupation | Educator |
Rachel Chebet Ruto (born 20 November 1969) is a Kenyan educator currently serving as the First Lady of Kenya. She is the wife of William Ruto, the fifth and current President of Kenya
Early life
Rachel Chebet was born in Likuyani, Kakamega County, Western Region on 20 November 1968. [1]
Education and career
She went to Likuyani Primary School, Kakamega County. She then proceeded to Butere Girls High School[2] for her O and A levels. She passed her advanced level education and subsequently was called to join the Kenyatta University where she pursued a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree. She went on to earn her Master of Arts[3] in 2011 at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
Although she studied Education, she did not get a chance to practice teaching for long. She voluntarily retired and ventured into entrepreneurship in the tour and travel business, taking people throughout the country to places like Maasai Mara and Mombasa, etc.
Activism and recognition
During her tenure as the Second Lady of Kenya, she became an advocate for women's rights and women's empowerment. Through the Joyful Women Organization, she spurred a table banking initiative throughout Kenya, and spread to the rest of Africa.[4]
On 17 January 2014, Rachel Ruto was awarded the International Honorary Fellowship Award On Women Empowerment at the Binary University in Malaysia.[5]
She has been championing for healthy living through physical exercise such as cycling and launched the Mama Cycling Initiative in September to promote the practice.[6]
In March 2023, she expressed opposition to same sex relationships, following a Kenyan Supreme Court ruling allowing LGBTQ groups to organise.[7]
Family
Rachel and William were married in 1991[8] at the AIC church. They met while they were in university at a Christian Union rally at the University of Nairobi. Rachel was studying education at Kenyatta University while her husband was taking botany and zoology at the University of Nairobi. The couple has six children including Charlene. The couple adopted baby Nadia, who had been buried alive. They named the baby Cherono, after Ruto’s mother. [9]
References
- ^ "Get to know the incoming first lady Rachael Ruto". The Star. 2022-09-05. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
- ^ Nyanchwani, Silas. "Where Manduli, Rachel Ruto were among the best". Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
- ^ "DP William Ruto congratulates his wife Rachel after her graduation". The Standard. 2016-10-30.
- ^ "About JoyWo."
- ^ "Deputy President's Wife Rachel Ruto Gets Awarded With A Prestigious International Award". Ulizalinks.co.ke. 17 January 2014.
- ^ Mabonga, Masolo (2020-12-20). "Rachel Ruto cycles for 146km to promote non-motorised mode of transport". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ^ "Kenya's First Lady declares national prayers against homosexuality". Vanguard. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Rachel Ruto hosts Bishop who officiated wedding with Ruto". The Star. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
- ^ "Rachel Ruto Biography, Age, Education, Family Career and Projects". The Informer whownskenya. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
