President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene Ruto on Sunday, September 10, announced her graduation with a Certificate in the Kenyan Sign Language.
In a statement, the first daughter expressed her enthusiasm in the course noting that she “couldn’t be prouder” of herself.
Her graduation came three months after she enrolled for the course commonly referred to as the KSL.
“After three months of studying Kenyan Sign Language (popularly known as KSL) as a basic course, I finally graduated with my certificate! I couldn’t be prouder of myself!” Charlene announced.
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Charlene’s Encounter with Miss Mombasa
According to her, the interest in the KSL used by members of the deaf community in Kenya was triggered after an encounter with a youth in the community named Babelyn Mukila.
Mukila, she explained, communicated to her in sign language- a moment Charlene notes made her curious to learn the language.
Despite her disability, Mukila- a former Miss Tourism Mombasa County is known for her bold and astute character and a lady determined to defy the odds to make change.
Charlene went on to narrate how interacting with her not only sparked her interest in the language but also made her develop a passion for the community as a whole.
“I have come to develop such a passion and love for the Deaf people,” she noted.
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Inspired by Citizen TV’s KSL Expert
Moreover, the first daughter expressed her appreciation for the role played by Citizen TV’s sign language expert Youla Nzale in the course.
According to her, Nzale helped to organize her classes while Rosemary Indeche took charge of the tutorial duties.
Besides understanding the basics of the KSL, Charlene noted that the course helped her to exercise her brain.
She explained that the course tested her patience and discipline owing to the challenge it posed.
“Learning KSL exercised a part of my brain I never knew I had before, tested my patience and discipline and stretched me,” Charlene stated.
With the certificate in KSL in bag, Charlene has now set her sights on advancing in the KSL in what she says is “game on!”
The interaction and passion for the deaf community is part of Charlene’s youth-oriented community activities since bursting into the limelight after President Ruto rose to power.
