On the 13th of September 2022, William Ruto was sworn in as the fifth President of Kenya. In view of this, his wife, Rachel Ruto has automatically emerged as the First Lady of the nation.
Recall that Ruto, who was the 11th Deputy President from 9 April 2013 – 13 September 2022, narrowly beat his rival Raila Odinga to win the keenly contested presidential election on August 15.
According to reports, Rachel, a born-again Christian met and fell in love with Ruto after meeting thanks to their work as evangelists.
She has been projected to be visible, elevating the causes close to her heart that she has quietly pursued as the Deputy President’s wife.
Rachel’s acquaintances believe that she will make a great First Lady; adding that she has never changed from when she was a child.
In a chat with newsmen, residents from her village in Likuyani, Kakamega County believe their daughter, whom they have known since her early years, will make one of the country’s finest first ladies.
Her village mates and Likuyani Primary School classmates as well as her head teacher insist that the trained teacher will make them proud. This is because she has never changed despite her rise from humble beginnings to her current position as wife to Kenya’s second most powerful man, now poised to rise a notch higher.
Rachel’s primary school headmaster, Naftali Olasya, said “She has never changed. She still is the same young Rachel she was decades ago when she was in primary school. She is still the same devoted Christian we knew, and we believe that she will not change even when she becomes Kenya’s First lady”.
82-year-old Olasya, who was the First Lady’s teacher of English, recounted how hardworking and God-fearing his pupil was. He said that after completing her Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) in 1981 and emerging among the top students, Rachel joined Butere Girls High School in Kakamega County before proceeding to Kenyatta University where she trained as a teacher.
Olasya recalled that Rachel would perform extremely well in Mathematics, English and Religious studies.
He added that “Rachel never failed to attend school. Her father, Samuel Kimetto, who was the school’s board treasurer was also strict and responsible and he impacted similar virtues in his children”.
Harping on the old good days, the former headmaster said when Rachel completed her primary education, her father had insisted that she join Kessup Girls and not Butere School where she had been admitted.
The teacher said “After convincing her father, he let her join Butere Girls School, then a provincial school. She did not disappoint us because she performed well in her Ordinary and Advanced level examinations”.
Olasya further stated that Rachel has always loved her alma mater, often visiting the school to work on various projects and mentoring pupils. The second lady has helped the school by drilling a borehole, installing flush toilets, electricity and tiled classrooms.
He said “She has never forgotten where she came from. She has pioneered many projects at the school and helped to create a better environment for the pupils, having come from a humble background herself”.
It could be recalled that in 2021, Rachel lit up the internet when she posted photos of a Toyota Hilux double cabin car she had bought for her former teacher. The First Lady averred that she was gifting her teacher as a way of expressing gratitude for the countless years he had given his life to serve.
The fulfilled Rachel lauded her teacher as a “stern, firm and reputable teacher who shaped our childhood years.”
It was reported that during the function, one Tom Simiyu, who schooled with Rachel in primary school, said he hoped that the lady he had known over the years would ascend to First Lady. Like Olasya, Simiyu believed that Rachel still epitomised the virtues she bore when she was a young girl.
Simiyu said “Nothing will make us prouder than seeing the hardworking, humble and prayerful Rachel become the First Lady of this country. She was always among the top performing pupils in school and often led our worship services at school”.
A resident, Wycliffe Wamalwa said the community had benefited from Rachel’s generosity. “The borehole that the Second Lady helped sink at the school has provided clean water that is used even by members of the community.
“We now have power and she often visits us and helps the students with academic materials whenever she visits. As First Lady I know that she will be able to impact many people’s lives”.
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