President William Ruto has thanked residents of Likuyani for helping him find a wife, recalling how he travelled to the area to ask for Rachel’s hand in marriage.
Speaking during a church service at St Mark's Catholic Church in Matunda, Kakamega county, Ruto said he had decided to return because it had been a long time since he visited his in-laws.
"Niliamua kuwatembelea katika sehemu hii ya Likuyani kwa sababu jana nilikuwa nafikiria nikasema imekuwa muda sijafika kwa mashemeji," Ruto said, receiving cheers from the congregation.
This is translated to mean: "I decided to visit you here in Likuyani because yesterday I was thinking and said it had been a long time since I visited my in-laws.”
The President said his wife, Rachel Ruto, was born in Likuyani and attended Likuyani Primary School before later proceeding to Butere Girls High School.
He recalled travelling to the area to seek her hand in marriage, saying the people of Likuyani had played a special role in his life by helping him start a family.
"Unajua hapa Likuyani ndio nilipata bahati ya mke. Wakati nilikuja kuuliza huyo msichana awe mke wangu nilikuja hapa Likuyani, na mimi nasema kwa watu wa Likuyani mmenibariki na mke, nikawa na familia na nikawa na watoto, na mimi nasema asante na sitawasahau," he said.
This is translated to mean: "You know, it is here in Likuyani that I was fortunate enough to find a wife. When I came to ask for that girl’s hand in marriage, I came here to Likuyani. I tell the people of Likuyani that you blessed me with a wife, and I went on to have a family.”
He thanked the residents for the role they played in his life, pledging never to forget them.
“I want to say thank you, and I will never forget you,” he said.
