Rachel Ruto Bags Award During Trip To India

Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya has been awarded the KISS Humanitarian Award 2022.

The award, according to a press release sent to newsrooms, came on Saturday, September 30 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes.

She received the award at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

The First Lady was chosen for her work in empowering women, climate conservation, and promoting national and family values.

First Lady Rachel Ruto presented the prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Bhubaneswar, India on September 30, 2023. /OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY

The humanitarian award was initiated in 2008 and is conferred annually to felicitate individuals for their exemplary service to humanity across the globe.

"Mama Rachel Ruto is the second African woman to receive the award and the third recipient on the continent.

"Other recipients include Anerood Jugnauth, former President of Mauritius; Professor Mohammed Yunus, Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and Nobel Peace Prize recipient; His Holiness Dalai Lama and Dr. Alejadro Toledo, former President of Peru," read the statement in part.

The First Lady acknowledged the award as a renewed call to action and an honour to individuals and communities who dedicate their lives to the betterment of humanity.

The award is a testament to the resilience and spirit of Kenyan people, especially women. It is a tribute to the dedicated men and women of Kenya who work tirelessly for the underprivileged.

Through MaMa Doing Good, the organisation that implements programs of the First Lady, over 200,000 women have been empowered economically, with a resultant impact of over 1 million people.

A conservation and climate action champion, Mama Rachel Ruto, has committed to planting 500 million trees by 2032 in support of the National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign launched by the President in December 2022 and is advocating for the energy transition to clean cooking.

The First Lady urged for an equitable distribution of resources to create a better future and free education for the underprivileged.

“I have always believed that the true measure of a nation's greatness lies in its ability to care for its people,” she added.

Other dignitaries present included the Kenya High Commissioner to the Republic of India, Willy Bett and MaMA Doing Good CEO, Dr. John Chumo.

First Lady Rachel Ruto speaking while receiving the prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Bhubaneswar, India on September 30, 2023. /OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY