Charlene Ruto's 'Office of the First Daughter' Remark Triggers Online Debate

President Ruto’s second-born daughter Charlene has stirred up a storm after disclosing that she runs the ‘Office of the First Daughter’.

Charlene made the revelation while addressing delegates at the 2022 YouLead Summit held at the East African Community (EAC) headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, on Tuesday.

She went on to introduce members of the staff who works with her at the Office of the First Daughter, including her principal advisor and head of trade and investments at the office.

“Before again I continue, I wanted to introduce quickly my team from Kenya. So, I’ll start with the back. This is Mike Sagana, he’s one of my team members. He’s a politician and he’s my principal advisor in my team. And this is Jermaine Momanyi, he is the head of trade and investments at the office of the first daughter…” Charlene said.

It was at this point that the audience could be heard going into disbelief, with clapping and laughter filling the air. “…I don’t get what’s funny,” Charlene said in reaction to the audience laughing.

Her comments triggered mixed reactions from Kenyans on social media given that the Constitution does not provide for any office named Office of the First Daughter.

“Lakini Charlene Ruto surely, now there is an ‘Office of the First Daughter’? Complete with a team of ‘Advisors’ and probably a cabinet. Wueh,” Twitter user @Wachira_254_wondered.

Caxstone Kigata said: “You mean we have an Office of the First Daughter fully financed by the Exchequer?”

Alberto Nyakundi posed: “I am confused over here. Is it a public or private office?”

“Leave alone first daughter, we’ll soon have even first gardener’s office and there’s nothing you will do,” David Rutto opined.

“For the first time since independence, Kenya has office of the first daughter fully funded by taxpayer’s money: fat salaries, guzzlers and fully fledged employees. Can someone say dynasty! The hustler will rule,” Allan Ofula quipped.

Since her father assumed office as the country’s fifth president, Charlene has been going around the country, meeting various county leaders, and even flying out to meetings with foreign dignitaries. In a recent interview, she introduced herself as a climate change activist and a voice for the youth.

“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.

“Since our president loves the youth so much, we already have a seat on the table, but who is going to push for the youth? That is why I decided to be that person and I’m going to be a voice for the youth and stand up for them and the communities.”