Charlene Ruto lands ambassadorial role

Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene has landed an ambassadorial role in the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has appointed her the Kenya Blood Ambassador.

The CS in an appointment letter seen by Nairobi Review acknowledged Charlene's efforts in consistent campaigns for blood donation.

"The Ministry of Health recognizes and appreciates your selfless contribution to Kenya through your consistent blood donation, advocacy, educating and mobilizing your family members, community, peers and the general Kenyan citizens to engage in blood donations.

Special recognition is in your efforts to mobilize resources that supports blood donation activities and blood establishments,” the CS says in the letter.

"This letter is to appoint you as a Kenya Blood Ambassador and ask that: you continue to be a spokesperson to your friends, Kenyan youth family, peers and Kenyan citizens and to engage and encourage people to give blood to save lives; from time to time collaborate with the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority or partners in blood-related events including public education and resource mobilization."

Charlene in a separate statement embraced the appointment, adding that she believes in blood donation since it goes a long way in saving lives.

“2024 is the year of actioning the 30 things. One of the 30 things under youth and the Society is blood donation. I believe in blood donation. I believe it saves lives. Many times, I have donated blood to people I don't even know due to a family cry for help. But this doesn't have to be the case. With repeat voluntary blood donation, our blood banks can be well stocked to support any family or Kenyan citizen in need of blood,” she said.

She thanked the CS for the appointment. “Thank you to the Ministry of Health and our CS Susan Nakhumicha for including me in this initiative run by @official_ktta and supported by @kenyan_by_blood_foundation. Congratulations to the other 2 blood ambassadors H.E. Caroline Wamatangi and Aisha Dafalla (women power!),” she wrote on X.

She said together, the country can easily attain the target of 500,000 units of blood by June 2024.