Ruto Changes World Cup Bet With Mama Rachel On His Birthday

President William Ruto has disclosed that he changed the terms of his World Cup bet with his wife, First Lady Rachel Ruto, having lost to her when France lost to Argentina.

Speaking in Kajiado county on Wednesday, December 21, the Head of State revealed that he sat down with Mama Rachel and agreed that he would plant one million trees as part of his tree planting programme that he launched instead of having to use cash to settle the bet.

After the World Cup final on Sunday, December 18, President Ruto was confused regarding the process of betting, and he consulted with his friends to establish how it works.

President William Ruto with First Lady Rachel Ruto and Environment CS Soipan Tuya during the launch of the Jaza Miti campaign in Kajiado County on December 21, 2022. /STATE HOUSE KENYA

"I was from the World Cup and from the heat of the moment, I placed a bet with the first lady and others and you know I lost the bet. I have been trying to find my way around it and I tried to ask how these things happen.

"I was told by a friend that I don't have to worry, these things normally end after 90 minutes, then another friend told me after 120 minutes then something in between. But I think the people of Kenya unanimously have said that I must pay the be," he said, much to the laughter of the audience.

Ruto then came up with another idea to transform the bet into the tree planting initiative as he considered the right thing to do owing to Kenya's climatic situation.

"So after it became difficult to work my way around it, I decided to negotiate with the First Lady and the people whom we had placed the bet with. They have graciously agreed to commute this bet into a million trees from each plant. 

"I still have a problem, you will have to help me to plant one million trees. I'm looking forward to some good friends helping me so that I can keep my bet and also plant trees," he appealed.

The President was marking his 56th birthday on December 21 and decided to use his special day to plant 56 trees in line with his new age.

"President ⁦William Ruto⁩ to launch the National Tree Growing & Restoration Campaign on his birthday; to plant 56 trees commensurate to his age, on his 56th birthday and kickstart the tree growing campaign that targets to mobilize the nation in growing 15 billion trees by 2032," State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed stated.

Ruto placed a bet on France retaining the World Cup owing to the majority of its players in the squad possessing African roots, including Kylian Mbappe who scored a hat trick in the high-octane match, becoming the first man to do so since Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final.

Mama Rachel rooted for Argentina to win their third World Cup, with Lionel Messi leading the team to their first-ever honours since 1986.

The end-to-end match saw all manner of emotions from fans supporting both sides in play, but it was Mama Rachel who had the last laugh as Argentina won 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes. Bayern Munich forwards Kingsley Coman and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Djani Tchouameni missed their crucial spot kicks.

“The emotive game saw fingers crossed across the world. But, as is the essence of all sports, a best among equals had to be found. And, Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalty kicks after a thrilling 3-3 draw.

“I want to join the rest of the world in congratulating the Argentina National Football Team, captained by Lionel Messi, for winning the 2022 World Cup tournament. Wear your three stars with pride! Bill, pay your bill,” part of her statement read.

Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the FIFA World Cup on December 18, 2022. /TWITTER