The First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, has penned a heartfelt message to President William Ruto on Father's Day, hailing him as a present father despite being weighed down by national responsibilities.
Endearingly referring to him as "incredible Bill," Mama Rachel reminisced on the family moments the president still showed up for, terming him the rock, inspiration and heart of the first family.
"And to my incredible Bill: On this Father's Day, my heart overflows with gratitude and awe for you. While you carry the weight of immense responsibility for our nation—a burden few can truly understand—you still find a way to be fully present for our family," she stated.
"Amidst the demands and pressures, you show up. You listen, you laugh, you guide, and you love our wonderful children with all your heart. Thank you for being our rock, our inspiration, and the heart of our family. Happy Father's Day to the most remarkable dad we know. We love you beyond measure."
In her message, the first lady also celebrated all other amazing fathers, highlighting their unsung traits, including being providers, their countless sacrifices, their guidance, their lessons and the creation of jobs.
"To all the amazing dads out there: We see the quiet strength it takes to shoulder responsibilities, the long hours worked to provide, and the countless sacrifices made out of love," she wrote.
"We cherish the guidance you give, the lessons you teach, and the safe haven you create. Your dedication to raising your children well, shaping them with patience, wisdom, and support, is the most profound gift. Thank you for every effort, big and small. You are deeply appreciated."
On his part, President Ruto celebrated fathers as "silent heroes who protect, provide, and nurture the foundation of our families." He further lauded fathers' sacrifices in building stable homes and thus stronger societies.
However heartfelt, Kenyans did not take too kindly to the Father's Day messages, flooding the comment section to commemorate the late Albert Ojwang, who left behind a young son and a father after dying in custody on Sunday, June 7.
In minutes, the comment section turned on both of them, reminding the first family that Ojwang's father, who only had one child, would be marking Father's Day childless.
The first daughter, Charlene Ruto, had received backlash hours earlier after wishing her father a happy Father's Day in a heartfelt social media post.
The National Police Service (NPS) possibly received the worst of it as Ojwang passed on while still in police custody after the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, filed a complaint that his name had reportedly been tarnished by the late teacher-cum-blogger.
