This archive report was first published on 13 July 2021.
Deputy President William Ruto has been making headlines with his recent interview on Radio Jambo, where he opened up about his daughter's marriage to Nigerian professor Alexander Ezenagu.
According to Ruto, he was asked by a listener how he felt about his daughter marrying a Nigerian and not a Kenyan. In response, Ruto broke into laughter and said,
"Ningefurahi sana kama msichana wangu angepata Mkenya lakini ni mpango wa Mungu and uamuzi wake pia. Kulikuwa na wakati niliskia fununu kulikuwa na jamaa anitwa Ochieng’, nilikuwa nimemwona lakini akapotea, sijui kulindaje," Ruto said as he broke into laughter.
Ruto also revealed that he had tried reaching out to young Kenyan men to settle down, but to no avail. He joked that he was still looking for a suitable husband for his daughter, saying,
"Bado niko na wasichana, sasa mimi nawaombea kina Irungu, Ochieng wajipange wasizubae," he joked. On a more serious note, Ruto attributed the success of his family to his wife Rachel, whom he described as an angel. He said, "Kuna wanaume wanahangaika sana lakini ukipata mke ambaye anakusaidia, anakuombea, anakuelewa hapo ndipo unawezakupiga hatua ya kwenda mbele" Ruto praised. As Ruto and his wife Rachel celebrate their 29th marriage anniversary in December 2021, they will also be celebrating his 55th birthday. In 2020, the couple combined their celebrations and invited children from 52 orphanages to share in the joy at their Sugoi home in Uasin Gishu county.
