She Was Never My Wife: 30-Year Relationship Disputed in Eldoret Land Case

In a recent hearing at an Eldoret court, 65-year-old Richard Ruto denied his marital relationship with Rosa Cheruiyot, despite their three-decade-long partnership and four shared children.

Ruto, formerly a senior manager at the now-defunct East Africa Tanning and Extract Company Limited, made this startling declaration while defending himself in a property dispute case. The case centers on a valuable five-acre plot near Eldoret International Airport, known as Pioneer/Ngeria Block 1 (EATEC) 3531, valued at approximately Sh25 million. Cheruiyot has taken legal action against Ruto, alleging that he sold this property to former Kenya Power chief executive Ben Chumo without her knowledge or consent, claiming it was matrimonial property.

Cheruiyot maintains that she and Ruto were married in 1984 under Kipsigis customary law, with their relationship remaining stable until 2021 when difficulties emerged. The longevity of their relationship is evidenced by their eldest child, who is now 39 years old. However, Ruto presents a different narrative, asserting that his true marriage was to Diana Chepkoech in 2008, also under Kipsigis customary law. He had intended to settle on the disputed property with Chepkoech and their three children.

In his testimony, Ruto revealed that his attempt to formally marry Cheruiyot decades ago was unsuccessful, with her parents rejecting his traditional token of appreciation of Sh3,000. He further contends that the property in question was purchased solely with his pension funds following his retrenchment, arguing that Cheruiyot has no legitimate claim to co-ownership. According to Ruto, Cheruiyot's persistent interference and hostility prevented him from settling on the land with his recognized wife.