Charlene Ruto, daughter of Kenya’s President William Ruto, took her father’s legacy of resilience to the international stage. Speaking at the United Nations Summit of the Future Action Day in New York, Charlene proudly highlighted her family’s humble beginnings in farming.
In a candid address, Charlene revealed her father, President Ruto, built his career starting as a chicken farmer, laying the foundation for her passion in agriculture.
“My father is a chicken farmer, and my mother, Rachel Ruto, is a flower farmer. She’s also brilliant with kitchen gardens,” Charlene shared with the audience.
This portrayal of the first family’s agricultural background struck a chord, aligning with President Ruto’s well-known hustler image. Charlene also spotlighted her own journey, describing how her beekeeping venture exposed her to untapped opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
“I ventured into beekeeping, selling honey. I quickly realized how many opportunities this business offers for the youth,” she emphasized.
As the founder of Smart Mechanized Agriculture & Climate Action for Humanity & Sustainability (SMACHS), Charlene passionately spoke about lowering the average age of farmers in Kenya. She outlined her vision of partnering with global stakeholders to reduce the current farmer age from 69 to a youthful 16 years.
“We can work together to lower the average age of farmers in Kenya to 16 years,” she urged.
Additionally, Charlene invited the global audience to experience Kenya’s vibrant tourism industry.
“I welcome you all to Kenya, where we have stunning beaches, the only national park within a city, and the world’s only swimming lions,” she proudly stated.
Charlene, who gained public attention during the 2022 elections, has since sparked conversations online for her enthusiasm in addressing youth issues. At the UN Summit of the Future Action Day, she represented her foundation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where President Ruto is expected to attend.