President William Ruto on Sunday, January 8, announced that he and Mama Rachel Ruto were grandparents.
Speaking during an inter-denominational thanksgiving service in Nanyuki, Ruto revealed that his son Nick and daughter-in-law Evelyn Chemutai had been blessed with a child.
However, the President withheld the gender of his first grandchild but revealed that Chemutai was from Laikipia county.
"I want to thank the people of Laikipia because you gave my son a wife. Last January, we came here to pay dowry and now we are blessed with a grandchild from that union.
"I, therefore, express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Laikipia and we will continue to be close relations," Ruto stated.
The President hinted that the child was part of the reason why he visited the county as was expected upon receiving the good news.
"Maybe that was the reason why we came to Laikipia. I heard that dowry is paid every day and that is why I will keep frequenting here until we wind up," Ruto teased.
Photos of Nick's engagement to Chemutai in a traditional wedding ceremony in the head of states residence in Uasin Gishu county flooded the internet in January 2021.
Meanwhile, Ruto promised to deal with some of the concerns raised by the leaders of the county including stalled development projects.
He vowed to prioritise the Ngenya and Nanyuki-Rumuruti Roads. In addition, the President disclosed that the county water supply needs would be met through the construction of dams.
Laikipia county would also benefit from the affordable housing project, which will create employment opportunities for the youth in the county.
Ruto further promised the construction of stadia and markets in the county. On matters of security, he revealed that 300 National Police Reserve officers would be deployed to complement the police officers.
