Charlene Ruto has praised First Lady Rachel Ruto for her central role in organizing a successful traditional koito ceremony held over the weekend, marking a key step toward her upcoming marriage.
In a message shared after the event, Charlene credited her mother with overseeing nearly every aspect of the ceremony, describing her as the backbone behind the planning and execution.
“My mama was my everything as I planned my koito ak chaik,” she said. “I only lifted a finger to share ideas, approve designs and conclude discussions.”
“My mama was my everything as I planned my koito ak chaik,” she said. “I only lifted a finger to share ideas, approve designs and conclude discussions.”
She added: “She is the one who spent sleepless nights, sat in long meetings and executed my dream so that I could have a perfect day.”
The koito, a traditional Kalenjin engagement and farewell ceremony, formalises marriage negotiations between families and is regarded as a significant cultural rite.
Charlene’s ceremony drew attention due to its scale and the involvement of a high-profile political family.
Charlene expressed gratitude to her family and community for supporting the dowry negotiations, while also acknowledging her fiancé, Isaya Yunge, for formally seeking her hand in marriage.
“Grateful for my family’s and community’s support in my dowry negotiation,” she noted. “And my dear husband-to-be Isaya Yunge for honouring me by asking for my hand.”
She further revealed that she had been welcomed into her fiancé’s family in Mwanza, Tanzania, highlighting the cross-border nature of the union.
“Delighted to be accepted by my Tanzanian family from Mwanza,” she said.
The ceremony underscores the continued importance of traditional practices among Kenya’s political families, even as they operate in modern public life. It also reflects growing social ties across East Africa, particularly between Kenya and Tanzania, through marriage and cultural exchange.
Charlene concluded her message with a note of appreciation directed at her mother: “I am so blessed. Thank you, Mama.”