Following his declaration as the winner of the presidential contest on Monday, August 15, a mother in Kosachei hamlet in Sugoi, Uasin Gishu County named her newborn after President-elect William Ruto.
Emily Maiyo, now a mother of three, gave birth to her son on August 9 after voting at Kosachei Primary School, the same location where Dr. Ruto voted.
Maiyo stated that she was aware that she could give birth at any time because she was 9 months pregnant, but that this could not prevent her from enjoying her fundamental right.
“Because it was my civic duty to go to that polling station and cast my ballot, I said I will not remain behind while others were electing the leadership for the next five years,” Maiyo told The Standard.
Maiyo claims that a few hours after returning home, she experienced labor pains and was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where she gave birth.
She explains that she was unable to come up with a name for her newborn since he became ill, which kept her preoccupied.
“When I gave birth to my son, choosing a name for him never came across my mind because as soon as we were taken to have a rest in the maternity ward, he became sick and that distracted me,” she said.
A few days later, when IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati announced Dr. Ruto’s victory at the Bomas of Kenya, Maiyo then deemed it fit to name her son after Ruto to signify a genesis in her family.
Maiyo noted that Ruto has played a pivotal role in the area as from the time he was elected Eldoret North MP up to when he became the Deputy President.
“I chose to name my son after Dr William Ruto to signify a new beginning not only in our Kosachei village, but also in my family. I believe my son is a blessing from God.”
