From Abandoned at Birth to Daughter of a President: The Remarkable Journey of Nadia Cherono Ruto

In a small corner of Machakos County, a newborn baby was once left for dead before she had even experienced life. Wrapped in silence and tragedy, the infant had been buried barely a day after birth. But fate had other plans.

Catholic sisters at Madre Ippolita Children’s Home discovered the tiny child still clinging to life. Her condition was critical; weak, fragile, and already showing signs of decomposition. Yet through relentless care, prayers, and compassion, the sisters fought for her survival. Slowly, the little girl pulled through.

That child was Nadia.

Years later, in 2015, then-Deputy President Dr. William Samoei Ruto visited the children’s home during a fundraiser. As he interacted with the caregivers, one story deeply touched him — the heartbreaking story of the baby who had been abandoned and nearly buried alive.

The moment he heard it, he was overcome with emotion.

What happened next changed Nadia’s life forever.

Moved by compassion, Dr. Ruto made a life-changing decision: he would take Nadia in as his own daughter. It was not a gesture for cameras or headlines. It was a father opening his heart to a child who had once been forgotten by the world.

She was given a new beginning, a new family, and a new name — Nadia Cherono Ruto, named after President Ruto’s mother, Cherono, symbolizing love, belonging, and honor.

Today, Nadia is thriving.

The once-fragile infant is now a cheerful and confident young girl growing up under the care of Kenya’s First Family. Whether attending church hand-in-hand with her father or appearing beside him during family moments, Nadia’s smile tells a story words can hardly capture — a story of survival, grace, and unconditional love.

Her journey continues to inspire many across Kenya and beyond.

Nadia’s life stands as proof that even in the darkest moments, hope can still shine through. That one act of kindness can completely rewrite a person’s future. And that every child, no matter the circumstances of their birth, deserves love, dignity, and a place to call home.