I’ve been summoned by men’s conference for holding Rachel’s hand in US- Ruto

A light moment unfolded at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday after President William Ruto said, in jest, that he had been summoned by the Men’s Conference for holding  First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto’s hand during his State visit to the US.

The Prayer Breakfast was held at held at Safari Park, Nairobi.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,  Mama Rachel, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, Pime CS Musalia Mudadvadi and a host of MPs and senior State Officials were present.

Gachagua had earlier cracked the crowd after saying the President had piled pressure on Kenyans after their women demanded they emulate Ruto in holding their hands as they walk.

“Allow me as a truthful man to tell you the truth. All Kenyans were monitoring you. There was something you did that created problems for the men.

“Our spouses were demanding that we emulate the President and hold their hands wherever they go,” Gachagua said.

In a rejoinder to the banter, the DP when called to speak began by saying he had been summoned.

“It is true that I have been summoned by the men’s conference for holding Rachel Ruto’s hand in the US,” the President joked as the crowd broke into laughter. 

“I will go and answer,” he said. 

During his State visit to the USA last week, Ruto was pictured holding Mama Rachel’s hand which is usually not the norm while in Kenya. 

President Joe Biden was also holding First Lady Jill Biden’s hand in the said picture. 

The DP said Pastor Dorcas demanded that they hold hands even when in the house and when walking outside.

The Deputy President joked that it was the same case for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Gachagua, however, said that upon return to Kenya, Ruto has since rectified that and he no longer holds the First Lady’s hand. 

He said the pressure has gone down given that he walked to the National Prayer Breakfast without holding the first lady’s hand.

“To Pastor Dorcas, all is not lost, when we go to the US, I will hold your hand, but when we come back let us continue with our lives,” Gachagua said.