Charlene Ruto has defended police action to arrest an author, Webster Ochora Elijah, for allegedly publishing a book about her.
Charlene said Ochora did not seek her consent before publishing the book and that she complained to the DCI over the issue.
“She didn’t get my permission before writing that book. We have a culture in this country where we misuse people’s names and get away with it, it’s not right and that’s not what I stand for,” Charlene said.
She said she submitted her statement to the DCI and went through the legal process.
She said young people have to learn that they should not look for opportunities in the wrong way.
“The gentleman never came to me with a suggestion and said I want to write a book on your behalf, and to me that was misuse of my name,” she said.
She said that she would write her book at her own time.
“No one should write your book for you, so write it yourself when you are ready,” she said.
She said the issue was not about the content in the book or how positive it is, but more about respect for each other in society.
“I just didn't like that someone misused my name. It’s about respecting each other and consulting,” she said.
She spoke at Wareng High School, where Environment CS Deborah Mulongo presided over a tree planting and youth employment exercise at the school.
President Ruto was a student at the school.
Detectives who arrested the author on Monday, June 2, claimed that Ochora allegedly authored and published a book about Charlene titled 'Beyond the Name: Charlene Ruto and the Youth Uprising' without her consent.
After his arrest, Ochora was held at Muthaiga Police Station and was to be charged with identity theft under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.
Police have also kick-started investigations to establish other individuals who funded and facilitated the authorship and publication of the book.
Kennedy Mong’are, the family lawyer, claimed that Ochora is a renowned author and publisher who has authored books on notable figures such as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and United States President Donald Trump, and that the arrest was uncalled for.
According to Mong'are, the book meant no harm and aimed to project the positive works and accomplishments that the president's daughter has been doing across the country.
