Editor's Review

President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, has announced her decision to forgive Webster Ochora Elijah, the man behind a book about her.

President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, has announced her decision to forgive Webster Ochora Elijah, the man behind a book about her. 

In a statement on Monday, July 28, Charlene revealed that she has received persistent appeals for forgiveness from Ochora through her legal counsel.

"Over the past few weeks, I have received persistent appeals through my legal counsel (Kachapin & Company Advocates) from Webster Ochora Elijah. His words and the sincerity behind them have touched me deeply.

"I believe that taking responsibility and being accountable for one's actions is not a sign of weakness. It is a profound demonstration of strength and character," she said.

Charlene said she has decided to settle the matter out of court, rather than pursue a drawn-out legal fight with the author.

"As a youth champion and as someone deeply committed to positive dialogue and responsible leadership, I have chosen to extend forgiveness. I have also agreed to pursue alternative dispute resolution outside the courts," she continued.

Charlene went on to explain that the case was never just about her or the author, but about the rise of online defamation and abuse.

"This case was never just about me. And it was never only about the young man involved. It was about something bigger, a growing issue in our society that we can no longer ignore: the normalization of online hostility, defamation, and the careless destruction of reputations, all amplified by the vast reach and anonymity of the internet," she added.

File image of Charlene Ruto

Charlene further explained that her actions were intended to stand up for countless others who suffer from digital attacks with no recourse.

"When I took legal action, it was not solely to protect my name. It was to stand up for the many people, especially young people, who suffer in silence from online abuse with no voice and no avenue for justice. 

"People whose careers have been damaged, whose mental health has been compromised, and whose dignity has been stripped away by targeted digital attacks," she further said.

The matter is scheduled to be mentioned in court on Tuesday, August 19, where both Charlene and Ochora are expected to formally record their mutual settlement.

Ochora was in Tuesday, June 3, arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, where he was charged with identity theft and released on a Ksh50,000 cash bail. 

He was arrested a day earlier for publishing the book titled, Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising, and locked up at Muthaiga Police Station. 

The police also seized Ochora’s laptop for forensic examination as part of the investigation to seek digital evidence.

Speaking on the arrest and Ochora's arraignment, Charlene condemned the unauthorized use of her name and distanced herself from the publication.

"We have a very bad culture in our country where we misuse people's names and we get away with it. That is not right and it is not something that I stand with; I submitted my statement to the DCI and we went through the legal procedures," she said.

Charlene said Ochora never approached her or sought any form of approval to author a book on her behalf.

"The gentleman never came to me with a suggestion that he wants to write a book on my behalf, and for me, that was misappropriate use of my name.

"The day I'm ready to write my book, I will write it; otherwise, nobody should write for you your own book, you should write it yourself," she added.