Signature tea served at State House by First Lady

Kenya's First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto is known for her signature gesture whenever her counterparts from other countries visit. 

It is not the tea that netizens popularly refer to as gossip, but real brewed tea. 

The brewed State House tea, as it is famously known, has been taken by two visiting first ladies so far. 

It is not yet clear whether Mama Rachel brews the tea herself or not, as her team once shared pictures of her preparing tea at State House. 

The first one was United States First Lady Jill Biden during her three-day official visit to the country. 

In her blue dress, Jill sat comfortably as Mama Rachel was serving her tea, she was also seen assisting her colleague in pouring it into the cup. 

Kenyans on Twitter termed the act as a sign of humility. 

On Tuesday, Mama Rachel again served her Italian counterpart Laura Mattarella the famous brewed tea. 

In the same room she served First Lady Jill, Mama Rachel repeated the gesture to Laura Mattarella. 

Both dressed in a navy blue suit and dress suit, Mama Rachel was seen pouring tea into a cup as First Lady laura was watching keenly.

Laura Mattarella is in the country with her husband President Sergio Mattarella on a 4-day official visit.

The two also visited Bomas of Kenya for a cultural experience, aimed at promoting the rich Kenyan culture as a niche tourism product.

In November 2022, President William Ruto treated Regional Police Commanders to tea at State House. 

The top police commanders had met with the President at the State House to discuss their challenges and the country's state of security.

"Mimi nimeshukuru sana jameni. Na msiondoke kabla hamjakunywa chai... chai ile ya kikombe (I'm very grateful. Please don't leave before taking tea... but I mean a cup of tea)," he said.

The remark was received with a roar of laughter from the officers, with some even clapping.

The President joined in before adding, "Nimeambia hawa wagwana wasiondoke bila chai nikaona wako na question mark... ni ile chai ya kikombe."