Charlene Ruto
{{Short description|Kenya's President William Ruto's daughter}}{{Infobox person
| name = Charlene Ruto
| birth_name = Charlene Chelagat
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|01|11|df=yes}}{{Cite web |last=ANYANGO |first=MANNY |title=Charlene Ruto turns 30, asks youth to share issues to be tackled |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2023-01-18-charlene-ruto-turns-30-asks-youth-to-share-issues-to-be-tackled/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}
| birth_place = Nairobi, Kenya
| spouse =
| children =
| mother = Rachel Ruto
| father = William Ruto
| alma_mater = {{Plainlist|
| occupation = Public relations
| known_for = Kenyan President William Ruto's daughter
| image = Charlene Chelagat Ruto cropped.jpg
| caption = Ruto in 2022
| website = {{URL|https://charleneruto.com/}}
}}
Charlene Ruto (born 11 January 1993) is the daughter of the 5th president of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto. She is a political figure, public relations consultant, and philanthropist. Ruto has participated in national and international forums, often under her unofficial "Office of the First Daughter" role. In addition to her First Daughter role, Ruto has worked in media relations, Public relations, and philanthropy.
Education
Charlene Chelagat Ruto{{Cite web |title=Who is Charlene Ruto? |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2022-12-14-who-is-charlene-ruto/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}} is the third-born daughter to Kenya's President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-14 |title=Charlene Ruto: Kenya's 'first daughter' denies using public money |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63973387 |access-date=2023-03-22 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
Charlene holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Daystar University, and a Master of Business Administration in Hospitality from Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Between August 2012 to January 2013, she was a foreign exchange student at Northwestern College.
Charlene is certified in Kenyan Sign Language and a member of the Deaf community.{{Cite web |last=Okumu |first=Lynet |date=2024-02-08 |title=Kenyans react after Charlene Ruto's 'lazy youth' comments on National TV |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/first-daughter-charlene-ruto-under-fire-for-labeling-kenyan-youths-lazy/n4g1p57 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Pulselive Kenya |language=en}}
Career
Since 2018, Charlene has worked as a Media Relations Officer at Mobile Decisioning Holding Limited and as the Director of Public Relations and Branding at Weston Hotel.{{Cite web |title=EXPLAINER: Who is Ruto's first daughter Charlene? |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-02-26-explainer-who-is-rutos-first-daughter-charlene/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}
Charlene campaigned for her father ahead of the 2022 Kenyan general election, and after his inauguration in September 2022,{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=How Charlene Chelagat Ruto is different from other first daughters |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/how-charlene-chelagat-ruto-is-different-from-other-first-daughters/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Nairobi News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Digital |first=Standard |title=Charlene Ruto: What's she up to? |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/national/article/2001460902/charlene-ruto-whats-she-up-to |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en}} she has been actively attending national and global events.Standard, 11 Dec 2022 [https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001462976/charlene-ruto-why-i-have-been-meeting-with-leaders-in-various-counties/ Charlene Ruto: Why I have been meeting with leaders in various counties]
Charlene held 31 official meetings with government representatives and officials from different counties.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=Charlene Ruto: President’s daughter in 31 meetings in just one month |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/charlene-ruto-president-s-daughter-in-31-meetings-in-just-one-month-4040446 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Nation |language=en}} However, she trended as individuals queried about the basis of her involvement in political matters.
Charlene is the founding patron of the Smart Mechanized Agriculture and Climate Action for Humanity and Sustainability (SMACHs) Foundation.{{Cite web|url=https://smachs.foundation/|title=SMACHS FOUNDATION – Getting Youth to farm|website=smachs.foundation}}
Controversies
= ''Office of the First Daughter'' =
In 2022, Charlene had been conducting activities under the unofficial title "Office of the First Daughter", leading to public criticism and questions about the funding source. Despite comparisons to Ivanka Trump and a humorous nickname, "Quickmart Ivanka" or "low budget Ivanka", she continues her engagements. She clarified that her "office" is a private entity, not taxpayer-funded, focusing on youth and climate change advocacy. However, critics argue about the implications of her actions, given her father's anti-dynasty stance.
= Selling 'smokies' =
In 2022, Charlene stirred up social media when she shared that she used to sell 'smokies kachumbari', a popular snack, during her time at Daystar University. She stated that 'smokies' were a hot commodity back then, which motivated her to start the small business. Her revelation sparked a variety of responses from the online community, with some doubting the authenticity of her story as her father was the Deputy President then.{{Cite web |title=Charlene Ruto: A Day With the President's Daughter |url=https://www.mwakilishi.com/article/kenya-news/2023-10-11/charlene-ruto-a-day-with-the-presidents-daughter |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Mwakilishi.com |language=en}}
= Youth unemployment remark =
On 7 February 2024, Charlene faced social media backlash following her comments about Kenyan youth in a TV interview. She encouraged young people to be proactive, start income-generating projects, and participate in global discussions, especially on climate change. However, critics felt her remarks were insensitive and disconnected from the realities faced by Kenyan youth, arguing that her privileged background might have influenced her understanding.