High-Profile Leaders Who Attended Charlene Ruto’s Koito in Kilgoris [Photos]

Editor's Review

High-profile guests descended on Intonna Heritage Farm for Charlene Ruto’s Koito ceremony.

President William Ruto’s home in Kilgoris, Narok County, came alive on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as high-profile guests descended on Intonna Heritage Farm for his daughter Charlene Ruto’s Koito ceremony.

What began as a deeply personal family celebration quickly became a gathering of some of the country’s most recognisable political and public figures, with senior government officials, governors, senators, MPs and prominent personalities joining the Ruto family.

A Koito is a traditional Kalenjin engagement and dowry negotiation ceremony that brings together the families of a bride and groom to formally recognise their union and discuss customary obligations, including bride price. The occasion is also a celebration of culture and heritage, traditionally marked by gifts, food, music, dancing and traditional attire.

Here are some of the high-profile leaders and personalities who attended.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was the senior-most invited government guest at the ceremony and attended alongside his wife.

President William Ruto, Mama Rachael Ruto, Charlene Ruto, his fiancé, and other prominent leaders at the event.

Cabinet Secretaries

The Cabinet was heavily represented, led by Musalia Mudavadi (Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs). He was joined by Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior and National Administration), Aden Duale (Health) and Hassan Joho (Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs).

The Secretary to the Cabinet, Mercy Wanjau, with CS Hassan Joho.

Other CSs included: Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport), Soipan Tuya (Defence), Hanna Cheptumo (Gender), Alice Wahome (Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development), Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku (Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes), Dorcas Oduor (Attorney General) and William Kabogo (Information, Communications & Digital Economy).

Seated: Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano of Tourism (second from left) and Defence's Soipan Tuya, Naiyanoi Ntutu (Johana Ngeno's widow), Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau and Attorney General Dorcas Oduor among the guests at Charlene Ruto's ceremony.

Other senior government officials included National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Mercy Wanjau (Secretary to the Cabinet), Felix Koskei (Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service) and Charles Keter (Advisor to the President).

President Ruto, his wife and senior government officials at the ceremony.

The event was also graced by Ida Odinga (Kenya’s Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme and wife of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga), a friend of the Ruto family who was among those who escorted Charlene to the ceremony. She was accompanied by her children, Winnie Odinga (EALA MP) and Raila Odinga Jr.

Charlene Ruto was accompanied by her mother, Rachel Ruto, Ida Odinga and other guests.

Principal Secretaries

Principal Secretaries were also present, including Raymond Omollo (Interior), Julius Bitok (Tourism), Judith Pareno (Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs), Dr Ouma Oluga (Medical Services), Dr Chris Kiptoo (National Treasury) and Nixon Korir (Lands and Physical Planning).

From left: Businessman Sam Mburu, PS Nixon Korir, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and MPs; Nelson Koech and Jalang'o

Governors

The governors' contingent included Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Stephen Sang (Nandi), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka-Nithi), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok), Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and Susan Kihika (Nakuru).

MP Silvanus Osoro, EALA MP Winnie Odinga and other guests at the ceremony.

Senators

The Senate was represented by Oburu Oginga (Siaya and ODM party leader), who was among the senior political figures at the ceremony. Other senators present included Karen Nyamu (Nominated Senator), Hilary Sigei (Bomet), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Irene Mayaka (Nominated Senator) and Allan Chesang (Trans Nzoia).

Bomet senator Hillary Sigei and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen arrive at the ceremony.

Members of Parliament

Among the MPs present were Kimani Ichung'wah (Kikuyu), Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Esther Passaris (Nairobi Woman Representative), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Linet Chepkorir Toto (Bomet Woman Representative), Nelson Koech (Belgut), Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), Musa Sirma, Leo Wamuthende (Mbeere North) and Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri).

Bomet Woman Rep Linet Toto with Health CS Aden Duale at the ceremony.

Among senior officials from state agencies were Adan Mohammed (Commissioner General, Kenya Revenue Authority) and Eliud Lagat (Deputy Inspector-General, Kenya Police Service).

Other notable attendees included CNN journalist Larry Madowo, who was photographed with President Ruto during the celebrations, and Naiyanoi Ntutu Ng’eno, widow of the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno.