Even at a lavish presidential wedding, a mother’s eye never rests. First Lady Rachel Ruto proved exactly that in a video from Charlene Ruto’s wedding in Mwanza, Tanzania, which has since gone viral on Facebook.
President William Ruto and Rachel stood at the centre alongside the newlyweds, with their children; Charlene, Nick, George, Stephanie, June, Nadia and Cullie arranged around them.
Before the photographer could take the shot, however, Rachel noticed that the arrangement was not quite right.
Rachel Ruto helps direct her family
George had ended up standing beside Nick’s wife, Evelyn Chemutai Ruto. Rachel was quickly seen signalling with her hand, gesturing for Nick to move next to his wife and for George to shift positions.
Nick responded immediately, stepping into place beside Chemutai, while George moved aside. The whole moment lasted only a few seconds, but eagle-eyed Kenyans watching the footage caught every bit of it.
For many viewers, the quiet intervention spoke volumes. Others felt Rachel was simply keeping things organised, ensuring couples were paired together for a photo that will be treasured for years.
Who is Nick Ruto’s wife?
Chemutai is the wife of president Ruto’s firstborn son and a practising lawyer. The couple wed in a private traditional Kalenjin Koito ceremony in January 2022 at Windy Ridge in Karen, Nairobi.
She rarely makes public appearances, which made her presence at Charlene’s wedding all the more notable. At the Mwanza ceremony, she stood out in a mustard-yellow off-shoulder dress, a wide white sun hat, a delicate gold necklace and a matching gold bracelet.
Interestingly, during Charlene and Isaya’s traditional Koito ceremony on 8 August at Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Chemutai did not appear in any of the official photos released by the president’s office. It was only later that Nairobi fashion label Belabkay Couture confirmed they had dressed her in a bespoke couture gown for the occasion.
In Mwanza, she had initially been spotted at the far end of the family lineup. It is the same clip showing Rachel’s correction that has now placed her firmly in the frame, smiling softly beside Nick.
Nick and George had both arrived in matching beige suits, white shirts and white fedoras, with Nick sporting a bright green tie and George a black bow tie. But matching outfits alone were not enough for Rachel. When the moment came, she made sure the family photo reflected one simple rule: couples stand together.
