I married Rachel at 25: Ruto discloses as he encourages youth to settle down
By Valerian Khakayi, November 30, 2025President William Ruto has once again urged young Kenyans to embrace marriage, saying settling down early helps build responsibility and stronger families.
Speaking during a church service at AIC Milimani, Nairobi, on Sunday, November 30, 2025, Ruto revealed that he married First Lady Rachel Ruto at the age of 25.
He further added that people nowadays consider 25 too young to get married and that many are delaying marriage until their 30s and beyond.
“I keep encouraging young people to get married; we have so many young people around. I got married to Rachel when I was 25, am told nowadays 25 is too young to get married; people are hanging around all the way to their 30s and beyond,” Ruto said.
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Ruto noted that many parents hope to see their children settle down and start families, adding that marriage provides stability and direction for young adults.
“Every parent wants to see their child get married, and I want to encourage young people: if you love a lady, please marry her and find a family; that is how you will be responsible,” he added.
Early marriage
This follows his earlier call to Kenyans aged 25 and above, both men and women, to embrace marriage and stop the trend of club-hopping.
Speaking during the wedding of Moses Mudavadi, son of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Qillian Saiya, daughter of former GSU Commandant William Atswenje Saiya and former Kakamega Senator Naomi Masitsa Shiyonga, on Saturday, November 29, 2025, Ruto challenged the young people not to shy away from entering into lifelong partnerships with the love of their lives.
He specifically urged the men not to avoid responsibilities by clinging to their single status but to accept the idea of marriage.
“Those of you who are above the age of 25, get married. Wacha kuzunguka unatoka kwa club hii inaingia kwa club hii unaenda hio ingine,” he emphasised.
“If you are a man, be man enough to marry the woman you love. Because we have so many people who ran away from responsibility… I want to encourage the men in this room to be man enough and marry the woman you love,” the head of state added during the marriage ceremony at the Sayia family residence in Malava Constituency.