‘The weirdest rumour I’ve heard about myself is that I’m a lesbian and that’s not true’ – Charlene Ruto
Kenya’s First Daughter, Charlene Ruto, has come forward to reveal that one of the most persistent questions she faces is whether she is a lesbian, firmly dismissing any notion that she identifies with that sexual orientation or harbours any romantic interest in women.
Speaking to YouTuber Shiku Gitau on Friday, February 14, 2025, Charlene, who was caught off guard while attending a Valentine’s event, refuted the widespread speculation, admitting that even she finds it puzzling why people misinterpret her identity.
“The wildest or weirdest rumour about me, I think, is that I’m a lesbian. That is totally not true. It was so weird,” she remarked.
The First Daughter made the revelation during a rapid-fire Q&A session, where she also addressed other intriguing topics about her personal life, including the marks she scored in her KCPE exams and the person she calls the most.
About her academic performance, she disclosed that she scored 380 marks out of 500 in her KCPE, while in KCSE, she attained a B+.
On the question of who she contacts the most in her daily life, she revealed that her team, whom she closely collaborates with, tops the list, followed by her mother and her sister, Steph.
“My full ID name is Charlene Chelagat Ruto, and the people I call the most are my team—Orina, Yula—and then there’s my mom and my sister, Steph. KCPE, I got 380 out of 500, while in KCSE, I think I got a B+,” she said.
During the session, Charlene, who held a rose in her hands, was also asked when she last cried. She revealed that it had happened earlier that day, on February 14, 2025, after young people she had been meeting through her empowerment programs overwhelmed her with surprise gifts.
“The last time I cried was today. I almost teared up because the young people I’ve been meeting have been giving me roses, and I have just been like, ‘Machozi tu iko hapa,’” she said.
When asked about her mentor, Charlene was quick to name her father, President William Ruto, describing him as one of her greatest inspirations.
Looking ahead to 2025, she revealed that she is fully committed to intensifying her efforts to uplift and support young people, a mission she says is driven by the values her father has instilled in her.
Celebrity crush
The 32-year-old First Daughter also divulged details about her celebrity crush, revealing that she is captivated by Grammy-winning American gospel musician Jonathan Caleb McReynolds, describing his voice as completely enchanting.
However, she was quick to emphasise that her admiration for the American artist should not be misconstrued, making it clear that she is steadfast in her desire to marry a Kenyan man.
“You want to know my celebrity crush? He is not Kenyan, but I would most definitely marry a Kenyan man. He is not African; he is from the U.S. He has a very good voice, and I love his music. I also find him very good-looking. His name is Jonathan McReynolds,” she said.
Watch the video here:
Though she did not name a Kenyan artist as her celebrity crush, Charlene previously set tongues wagging in November 2024 when she was spotted alongside gospel singer Daddy Owen at a basketball event, igniting speculation about a possible romantic connection.
In a cryptic caption accompanying the photos he shared from the event, Daddy Owen spoke about taking things step by step, stating that every move eventually counts, a statement that fuelled rumours that he might have been making subtle advances toward the First Daughter.
However, weeks later, during an interview with a local radio station, Daddy Owen firmly dismissed the speculation, insisting that there was no romantic angle to their association while carefully sidestepping questions about Charlene’s relationship status.
“Aah, tena hiyo ni gani? Kuna vitu zingine unaweza ongelea na zingine hufai kuongelea, zingine ni noma. Huko tusiende. Wewe ni brother yangu, siwezi taka ukuwe kwa noma. Pale ni job tu, si tunapiga tu job, tunafanya tu kazi. Apart from being just friends, tunawork pamoja, kuna projects nyingi tunafanya pamoja. Lakini si kila saa ati mkioniona na mtu lazima ikuwe ni mtu,” he said.
