Charlene Chelagat Ruto is the third-born daughter of President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto.
Charlene has become a recognizable young public figure through her work in youth empowerment, climate action, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and hospitality.
Unlike her father, who has served in elective political positions before becoming President, Charlene has not held an elected or constitutional government position.
Charlene Ruto was born on January 11, 1993, in Nairobi.
She is the daughter of William Ruto, Kenya’s fifth President, and Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of Kenya.
On August 8, President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto held the engagement and farewell ceremony (Koito) for Charlene Ruto and Tanzanian entrepreneur Isaya Yunge.
Charlene has become active in public engagements since her father assumed office in September 2022, appearing at youth, agriculture, climate, and entrepreneurship forums in Kenya and abroad.
She is also the founder of the Smart Mechanized Agriculture and Climate Action for Humanity and Sustainability (SMACHS) Foundation, a youth-focused organization working on climate-smart agriculture, food security, and climate action.
Charlene Ruto Education
Charlene studied Mass Communication at Daystar University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree.
She also spent time in the United States as a foreign exchange student at Northwestern College between August 2012 and January 2013.
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She later pursued a Master of Business Administration in Hospitality Management at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland.
Charlene has said she graduated with her master’s degree in Hospitality Management in 2019.
Her education has given her a background in communications, public relations, and hospitality.
Career
Charlene began her professional career in communications and public relations.
Charlene worked as a Media Relations Officer at Mobile Decisioning Holding Limited between May 2015 and May 2017.
She later moved into hospitality and branding, including work at Weston Hotel in Nairobi.
Charlene has described herself as continuing her hospitality career alongside her work with young people
Public Life
Charlene became more prominent in Kenya’s public life after her father’s election as President in 2022.
She has participated in engagements involving young people, farmers, entrepreneurs, county leaders, and other stakeholders.
Her public activities have focused on youth empowerment, climate change, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities for young people.
In 2022, Charlene conducted activities under the banner of the “Office of the First Daughter”.
The move raised questions about whether the office was an official government institution, but Charlene later clarified that it was a private initiative and not taxpayer-funded.
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Charlene Ruto and SMACHS Foundation
Charlene founded the Smart Mechanized Agriculture and Climate Action for Humanity and Sustainability (SMACHS) Foundation.
The foundation describes itself as a youth-led non-profit organization that empowers young people to address hunger and climate change through climate-smart agriculture, environmental conservation, and sustainable food systems.
SMACHS has programmes focused on youth economic empowerment, food security, agricultural technology and climate action.
In December 2024, the foundation unveiled 82 youth climate ambassadors who were expected to promote climate-smart agriculture and climate action across 46 counties.
Charlene has also taken part in initiatives promoting opportunities for young people in agriculture, including food processing, value addition and agricultural technologies.
Charlene Ruto Wealth Network
Charlene Ruto is part of Ruto’s family business network, which includes interests in hospitality, real estate, agriculture and investment.
Among the companies are Weston Hotel Ltd, Matiny Ltd, Urban Groove Ltd, Golf Charlie Investments and FFL Ventures.
The reported interests span hospitality, serviced apartments, residential property and other investments.
Weston Hotel is a four-star hotel on Lang’ata Road, opposite Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
Charlene Ruto is reported to hold a 35.05 per cent stake in Weston Hotel Ltd, equivalent to 10,013 shares, while her mother Rachel Ruto holds a majority stake.
Charlene has also been involved in the management and branding of the hotel.
In 2026, she said she was continuing to run a hotel alongside her work with young people and her professional development.
Charlene is also associated with Urban Groove Ltd, which operates serviced apartments along Lang’ata Road within Freedom Heights Residence and Mall.
The apartments provide furnished accommodation for short and medium stays.
The business forms part of the hospitality and property interests reported in connection with Charlene.
Charlene is a shareholder in Matiny Ltd, a family company involved in property and hospitality investments, holding one share in the company, while Rachel Ruto holds six shares.
Matiny has been associated with several residential developments in Nairobi.
Properties
Properties associated with Matiny Ltd include Easton Apartments along Jogoo Road and O’sere Flats in Ongata Rongai.
Easton Apartments is a residential development with more than 100 units along Jogoo Road. Reports say about 100 units were leased to the National Police Service for staff housing.
O’sere Flats in Ongata Rongai comprises 98 units, including two-bedroom apartments and commercial spaces. The property has also reportedly had units leased to the National Police Service.
A residential property in Woodley Estate, Nairobi, has also been associated with Matiny Ltd and the wider Ruto family business interests. Previous media reports have placed its value at approximately KSh20 million.
Other apartment blocks and rental units in Eastlands and Lang’ata have also been reported as part of the wider Nairobi property portfolio associated with the company.
Charlene and Agriculture
Through SMACHS, she has promoted climate-smart and mechanized agriculture, particularly among young people.
Her work has included encouraging youth participation in farming, agribusiness, food production and agricultural value chains.
The wider Ruto family has also maintained agricultural interests in Sugoi, Uasin Gishu County, where farming activities include crop and livestock production.
The agricultural operations have included maize and sunflower cultivation, poultry farming, dairy and beef cattle rearing, and beekeeping.
Reports have also associated Koilel Farms Ltd with a large family farm in the area.
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