Even in moments of national grief, Kenyans’ sharp eyes never miss a thing. During Raila Odinga’s State Funeral at Nyayo Stadium on October 17, one sight had tongues wagging — Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya making his entrance in the company of a stunning lady dressed in a sharp blue suit.
As thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the late opposition leader, cameras quickly panned to the pair walking side by side — and within minutes, photos of the two were already making rounds on social media.
“Who is she?” became the burning question of the day, as Kenyans took to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook with wild guesses.
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Some joked that Oparanya, known to be a polygamous man, had “added another chapter,” while others were simply curious about the lady’s identity.
Mystery Lady Identified
After hours of online speculation, the mystery woman was finally identified as Ruth Mueni Mukhwana, the Head of Protocol and Events Coordination in the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development — the same ministry Oparanya heads.
According to sources close to the ministry, Ruth’s role includes managing the CS’s diary, official appearances, and public engagements — meaning she’s always by his side at major events.
However, that explanation did little to stop the online chatter, as Kenyans continued dissecting their photos together, with memes and captions flooding timelines.
Who is Ruth Mueni?
Turns out, Ruth is no ordinary civil servant. She’s an accomplished public communication and youth empowerment advocate, with several awards and recognitions to her name.
She’s the founder of Hopes, Dreams & Dignity, a platform championing youth empowerment across Africa.
Her work has earned her a spot in the 40 Under 40 Africa Awards, and she was even honoured with a Head of State Commendation (HSC) by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ruth currently serves as the East Africa Regional Coordinator for the AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Initiative, proving she’s both beauty and brains.
Kenyans React
As expected, Kenyans couldn’t keep calm. Some praised Oparanya for his “elite taste,” while others teased him about “soft life during tough times.”
“Even Baba’s farewell couldn’t stop Oparanya from trending,” one user commented.
“That blue suit lady just stole the show!” another added.
Still, others defended the duo, reminding critics that Ruth was simply doing her job — managing protocol at one of the most important state events of the year.