Charlene was on Friday, October 11 responding to a fake Gazette Notice purported to have announced her appointment to head the corporation for a period of three years
President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto has dismissed claims that she was appointed as the chairperson of the National Mining Corporation.
Charlene was on Friday, October 11 responding to a fake Gazette Notice purported to have announced her appointment to head the corporation for a period of three years, which went viral and prompted a clarification from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
In her statement on X, she called out propagators of the fake news, stating that they had zero understanding of the functions and duties of President Ruto and his administration.
“Guys…c’mon…seriously?? Let’s Stop Fake News! And looks like whoever is pushing this doesn’t know William Ruto. He believes in giving equal, fair and transparent leadership opportunities to as many Kenyans as possible, so trust me, this he would not do,” her post read.
A fake Gazette notice claiming that Charlene Ruto was appointed as the chairperson of the National Mining Corporation on October 11, 2024. /MINISTRY OF MINING, BLUE ECONOMY & MARITIME AFFAIRS
Charlene further believed that there was no chance that she had been picked to run a company in the mining sector as this was outside her interests. “And in mining? Not even youth? Or agriculture? Just so that you know it is really fake!”
According to her, she is building her own reputation, enhancing her name and aiming to leave a positive impact on what really matters to her.
“I didn’t wait for anyone to give me an appointment or position, I am creating my own path. Plus…my name is Chelagat, not Chelangat. Don’t support this propaganda!” she appealed.
The Ministry, while flagging the fake Gazette notice, announced the actual appointment of Joseph Kipchumba Lagat by President Ruto.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 25 (1) (a) of the Mining Act, 2016, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint- JOSEPH KIPCHUMBA LAGAT to be the Chairperson of the National Mining Corporation, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 4th October 2024,” the original notice read.
The fake gazette notice of the appointment had rightfully angered Kenyans and quickly spread with several Kenyans expressing their opinions on how they felt about the whole situation.
Viral Tea quickly established that the Gazette notice was not only fake but maliciously edited, with Charlene’s name having a different font than what is normally in any Gazette notice.
The National Mining Corporation serves as the investment arm of the Kenyan government in the mining sector. Established under the Mining Act of 2016, its primary roles include investing on behalf of the government, which involves acquiring interests in various mining projects.
Additionally, NMC engages in mineral prospecting and mining activities, allowing it to actively participate in the exploration and extraction of valuable resources.
The corporation also has the authority to acquire shares in companies involved in different aspects of mineral handling, from exploration to marketing.
