President-elect William Ruto and Rachel Chebet Ruto have been married for more than 30 years, and their romance extends back a long way.
She calls her spouse Bill and they fell in love over 30 years ago while they were both in college.
In an interview with Woman Without Limits with Rev. Kathy Kiuna, Rachel discussed how God told her in a dream that she would wed William Ruto.
The mother of six claimed that she began praying for a husband while she was a student, and God gave her the name of her husband in a dream.
After the dream, William Ruto, the incoming president, proposed to her the following day.
“I used to pray for my future husband and at one point at night God gave me the two names that I would get married to him (William Ruto). That was during my teaching practice times,” she narrated.
“The next day, I was learning how to play the guitar from a friend’s house. My roommate came and told me that I had a visitor, I was like, who that was?” she said.
It was confirmed to be William because he had come to see me. Eldoret was not where he was supposed to be “She spoke.
Rachel claimed that because she did not have an afternoon class, her roommate left her with her ex-boyfriend.
“I was left with him (Ruto) in the room feeling very uncomfortable without knowing what to do. He then told me he had something to tell me and that was the day he proposed to me.”
The rest of history began when Rachel said she would pray about it.
Despite studying education, Rachel didn’t have much time to put her skills to use as a teacher.
She explained to Kathy Kiuna that she had been transferred to a school that was rather distant from her current location.
“I didn’t go since I was planning to get married,” she said.
“I decided to get a job in Nairobi and at one point I resigned to take care of my children because of the pressure of balancing between being a mum and a wife.”
Rachel said she gave her life to Christ when she was in High school as a form one student.
“Getting saved propelled me to other levels,” she said.
She narrated that her childhood was not as easy as her parents were farmers in the settlements in Likuyani.
She said she seriously wore shoes when she joined to form one because it was a requirement. Her husband William Ruto was her first man in her life.
“I started dating at KU after meeting a wonderful man,” she said.
“I had known my husband since childhood. I knew him from the church when we would go for youth camps. He was an active church person.”
She said she is glad she got married young.
“I got married immediately after KU at the age of 23 years. I have never regretted getting married young. It’s good to enjoy the young life in your marriage. I have six children.”
Rachel said she did not know her husband would end up in politics.
“I remember one time during our courtship, he asked if I knew I was getting married to a politician and I was like, where is this coming from? I thought it was a joke.”
Rachel has been instrumental in assisting her husband’s campaign, often seen by his side when he was seeking office.
