Charlene Ruto, the daughter of President William Ruto, is causing a lot of talk online today after she shared a video of herself getting on a matatu and walking around the busy centre of Nairobi.
In the video posted on social media this morning, we see Charlene trying to connect with regular Kenyans, blending into city life and using public transport.
In the clip, she steps onto a matatu, which is a common minibus for public transport. She is dressed casually and talks with other passengers before getting off to walk around Nairobi’s crowded streets.
This video quickly became popular online. Many people praised her as relatable, while others wondered why she decided to go out like this.
This isn’t the first time Charlene has been seen on a matatu. In December 2023, she made news when she randomly boarded a colourful matatu, giving out shopping vouchers and paying for passengers’ trips as gifts.
That event received mixed reactions, but today’s video shows her in a more relaxed manner, just walking in the city without any special giveaways.
At 32 years old, Charlene is known for her work with the SMACHs Foundation and her unofficial role as “First Daughter.” She often highlights issues affecting young people and communities.
She did not explain what her recent video meant, but her actions relate to her past comments about wanting to understand the lives of everyday Kenyans.
She believes this understanding comes from attending local schools instead of foreign elite schools.
Someone said all the guys in the mat are bodyguardspic.twitter.com/QtCe2rUr1N
— KENYA GOSSIP HUB (@kenyasgossips) February 26, 2025
Reactions on social media have varied. Some people called her relatable, with one user saying, “Charlene is living like us; respect!”
Others questioned whether this was a planned move to improve her image since her father’s government is facing criticism about economic issues. The timing of the video, just before lunch, helped it become a hot topic as many people in Nairobi were heading to work.
Charlene has not yet shared her thoughts on the video’s meaning, leaving it open to different interpretations.
Whether it was a personal choice or a statement, her ride on the matatu and walk through Nairobi has once again made her a person of interest—both because of who she is and her ability to spark conversation.
