What is Koito? The Kalenjin tradition at the heart of Charlene Ruto's engagement
Charlene Ruto, daughter of Kenya's President, recently held a traditional Kalenjin engagement ceremony known as a 'Koito'. The event highlights the cultural significance of traditional marriage rites, including the negotiation of bridewealth and the involvement of extended family.
Why it matters
The ceremony serves as a public example of the preservation of indigenous cultural traditions within modern political and social life in Kenya.
Charlene Ruto's Koito Ceremony/SCREENGRAB
President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene is today at the centre of a colourful Kalenjin traditional engagement ceremony as her family hosts a Koito at Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County.
The ceremony brings together the families of Charlene and her fiancé, in a cultural occasion that marks an important step towards marriage.
But beyond the high-profile guests, colourful attire and cultural performances, the event offers a glimpse into one of the important stages of marriage among the Kalenjin.
Koito is a traditional engagement ceremony through which the families of a man and woman formally come together to recognise and celebrate their relationship.
It is traditionally the occasion when the groom’s parents and relatives visit the bride’s family to formally negotiate and agree on bridewealth, while seeking the family’s blessing for the union.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in