President William Ruto’s second-born daughter Charlene Ruto has once again sparked an online debate over the unofficial assignments she’s been performing in the recent past.
Charlene has been a topic of discussion since her father came to power. She seemingly believes her role as a daughter of the First Family is entrenched in law.
Moreover, in an undated video clip making rounds online, Charlene refers to her office as the Office of the First Daughter while introducing members of her team at a function.
“Before again I continue, I wanted to introduce quickly my team from Kenya,” she said.
She introduced a Mr Mike Sagana, whom she said is a politician and her principal advisor.
“And this is Jermain Momanyi, he is the head of Trade and Investment at the Office of the First Daughter,” she added.
Office of the First Omusoti should be immediately constituted. https://t.co/Zyfl4Sl2dd
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) December 13, 2022
The crowd upon her remarks responded with cheers, giggles, and claps.
Nonetheless, Charlene’s comments drew mixed reactions from Kenyans online as Kenya does not have such thing as an Office of the First Daughter in the constitution.
“Lakini Charlene Ruto surely, now there is an ‘Office of the First Daughter’? Complete with a team of ‘Advisors’ and probably a cabinet. Wueh,” said Twitter user @Wachira_254_.
Caxstone P. Kigata wondered: “You mean we have an Office of the First Daughter fully financed by the Exchequer?”
“Office of the first daughter??? It’s giving Ivanka Trump,” Wagatwe Wanjuki wrote on Twitter, while Alberto Nyakundi asked, “I am confused over here. Is it a public or private office?”
Furthermore, Sharlene has branded herself a ‘climate change activist’ and a voice for the youth.
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“I feel like there is a lot our president is doing internationally and nationally, also our first lady, our CSs, county governors and that kind of thing, but who is standing up for the youth?” Charlene posed in the Saturday interview with YouTuber Mungai Eve.
Additionally, on November 26-27, the president’s daughter trended at number one on Twitter as people questioned in what capacity she is engaging in political affairs.
This came following the series of political engagements including visits to county assemblies, meetings with governors and an unofficial state visit to Morocco.
Likewise, on November 29, Charlene went shopping at Quickmart supermarket in an apparent mockery of her critics who nicknamed her Quickmart Ivanka.
Furthermore, those behind the tag drew parallels between her and former US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump who traversed the country during her father’s reign, working, but without a defined official role.
