Her Excellency Rachel Ruto E.G.H: KISS Humanitarian Award 2022
Her Excellency Rachel Ruto E.G.H Receives Prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2022
Bhubaneswar, Sept 30: The First Lady Kenya, Rachel Ruto, E.G.H., was awarded the prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2022 at an event in the KISS campus that was graced by the Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal. The award recognizes her outstanding dedication to humanitarian efforts and her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the underprivileged and underserved, particularly women, children, and vulnerable communities.
In her acceptance speech, Rachel expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome she received in Bhubaneswar and extended her thanks to the Governor and the Founder of KIIT and KISS Dr. Achyuta Samanta for their hospitality. She emphasized her eagerness to collaborate with institutions like KISS in their shared mission to create a more compassionate and equitable world. The First Lady commended the visionary work of Dr Samanta who has been instrumental in providing free education to over 40,000 underprivileged students.
Mrs. Ruto acknowledged that the award was not just a recognition of her individual efforts but also a tribute to the spirit and resilience of the Kenyan people, especially women. She pledged to continue advocating for women’s well-being, financial inclusion, access to knowledge, and livelihood initiatives through Women Economic Empowerment programs.
The Odisha Governor, in his address, praised the First Lady for her humanitarian efforts and dedication to the betterment of humanity. He commended the work of KISS and its Founder, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, in ensuring that democracy reaches every corner of society.
Dr Samanta, in his speech, greeted the Kenyan First Lady in Swahili and drew parallels between her work and the mission of KISS. He highlighted the significant impact she has made through initiatives like MaMa Doing Good, Women Economic Empowerment, and Environmental and Climate Action. He said both he and the First Lady are united in “purpose and mission” in serving the society even though they are separated by continents, describing her as his sibling, he added.
Among others, the Chancellor of KISS Deemed to be University Satya S. Tripathi; President of KIIT and KISS Saswati Bal; Kenya High Commission in India Willy K. Bett; Vice president of KIIT and KISS Umapada Bose, Secretary R N Das and other senior functionaries from both KIIT and KISS were present on the occasion.
The KISS Humanitarian Award was initiated in 2008 and is conferred annually to recognize and felicitate individuals for their exemplary and distinguished service to humanity across the globe. Notable previous awardees have hailed from five continents and include luminaries such as Madam Edna Bomo Molewa, former premier of the North-western state of South Africa Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Ham-Kee-Sun, President of Hanseo University, Mr. Anerood Jugnauth, President of the Republic of Mauritius, Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Nicholas Addison Phillips, President of the Supreme Court of UK, Lyonchhen Jigmiy Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan, Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder FXB International, Switzerland, Ms. Anne Margaret Fagertun Stenhammer, Regional Director of UN Women for South Asia, Ms. Ashley Judd, UNFPA Global Goodwill Ambassador, Nobel Peace Laureate His Holiness Dalai Lama and Prof Muhammad Yunus.
Profile of Mrs. Rachel Ruto, EGH
Mama Rachel Ruto (as she is fondly referred to) is the wife of Dr. William Samoei Ruto, the fifth and current President of the Republic of Kenya.
Mama Rachel Ruto became the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya in September 2022, and before this, she held the role of Spouse of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya for 10 years. The Office of the First Lady complements the Government in the achievement of its strategy.
Mama Rachel Ruto is a self-professed believer in God, a loving mother and educator who has spent the last 25 years working with women, youth, and vulnerable groups to positively impact families and communities for a peaceful, transformed society.
She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, and a Master of Arts from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
As a change and social impact agent, she is recognised and known for the Financial Inclusion program, Joyful Women, which she founded in 2009 to support women in the areas of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), credit, capacity building, trade and market access. To date, the Program has impacted over 200,000 women within 14,000 registered groups spread across Kenya.
In 2016, she introduced Carakana (formerly known as Cross Stitch International), a program to preserve indigenous skills and empower vulnerable women with livelihood opportunities through the production of quality artefacts where the beneficiary women are paid for every piece made. The Program was launched across women’s prisons in Kenya and expanded to accommodate vulnerable women such as those living with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence and those recovering from substance abuse. To date, over 1,500 women have been equipped with skills that have enabled them to earn an income totaling Ksh.5 million (USD 36,000).
Mama Rachel Ruto launched Mama Feeding in 2018 to facilitate access to education and the retention of learners in public schools in marginalised communities through the provision of school meals. To date, over 50,000 school-going children have been fed.
In response to COVID-19, she launched Mama Cycling in 2020 to advocate for health, wellness and road safety. She continues to promote the uptake of non-motorised means of transport to promote healthier communities, especially in urban areas.
Mama Rachel Ruto’s programs were consolidated under MaMa Doing Good in 2021 in support of her vision, which is aimed at ensuring that no woman, youth, or vulnerable member of the community is left behind.
MaMa Doing Good’s purpose is to be an agent of transformation for a quality, holistic life in society. Its mission is to catalyse socio-economic development in communities through spirituality, collective agency, voice, and influence. The organisation is structured around three strategic pillars: Women Economic Empowerment, Environmental and Climate Action, and Faith Diplomacy.
Her work with women has earned Mama Rachel global and regional recognition. She was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart, the second highest honour awarded by the Government of Kenya, and the International Honorary Fellowship Award on Women Empowerment in 2014 by the Binary University in Malaysia.
In 2021, she was appointed as one of the high-level champions of women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Economic Forum (WEF).
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