Rachel Ruto

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
Personal details
Born	Rachel Chebet (1969-11-20) 20 November 1969 (age 55) Likuyani, Kakamega, Kenya
Political party	UDA
Spouse	William Ruto ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	6, including Charlene Ruto
Alma mater	Kenyatta University CUEA
Occupation	Teacher

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 and thereafter 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 as she voluntarily retired and ventured into entrepreneurship in the tour and travel business focused on tourist trap cities in the country.

Philanthropy and Activism

She became an advocate for women's rights and empowerment.

On 17 January 2014, Rachel Ruto was awarded the International Honorary Fellowship Award On Women Empowerment at the Binary University in Malaysia.^[4]

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.^[5]

In March 2023, she expressed opposition to same sex relationships, following a Kenyan Supreme Court ruling allowing LGBTQ groups to organise.^[6]

Family

Rachel and William were married in 1991^[7] 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.^[8]

References

1. "Get to know the incoming first lady Rachael Ruto". The Star. 2022-09-05. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
2. Nyanchwani, Silas. "Where Manduli, Rachel Ruto were among the best". Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
3. "DP William Ruto congratulates his wife Rachel after her graduation". The Standard. 2016-10-30.
4. "Deputy President's Wife Rachel Ruto Gets Awarded With A Prestigious International Award". Ulizalinks.co.ke. 17 January 2014.
5. 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.
6. "Kenya's First Lady declares national prayers against homosexuality". Vanguard. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
7. "Rachel Ruto hosts Bishop who officiated wedding with Ruto". The Star. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
8. "Rachel Ruto Biography, Age, Education, Family Career and Projects". The Informer whownskenya. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-22.