Since her father’s election, Charlene Ruto, the daughter of Kenyan President William Ruto, has presented herself as the country’s “First Daughter”, a position that is not provided for in the Constitution. On Tuesday, she even revealed what she presented as “her team”, which raises questions and criticism. She had to explain herself.
with our correspondent in Nairobi, Florence Morice
It was a video that caused an uproar. Charlene Ruto is seen addressing participants at an African Youth Leadership Summit at the East African Community headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. “ Before continuing, she explains, I would like to introduce you to my team from Kenya…» and here she is first introducing the one she calls her “chief adviser ” then ” the head of trade and investment in the office of the First Daughter “… Laughter and applause in the room… ” I don’t see what’s funny “, reacts the young woman, without visibly understanding these reactions…
On Twitter, where Charlène Ruto has already presented herself for several months as ” first daughter from Kenya, the comments and criticisms rocketed. Who funds this team? Where does this title of First Daughter come from? And what is its legitimacy?
To put out the fire, the 25-year-old girl, a graduate in communication and business, issued a press release in which she assures us that this office is perfectly “private” and in no way financed by public money, and intended to carry the aspirations of Kenyan youth.
This is not the first time that these issues have cropped up in the debate in Kenya. Since his father took office, William Ruto, Charlène Ruto has often traveled abroad. She also criss-crossed the counties of Kenya, each time meeting the local authorities.