Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto, has officially withdrawn her case against author Webster Ochora Eliah after the two parties reached an out-of-court settlement.
The dispute revolved around a book titled Beyond the Name, which Ochora allegedly published without Charlene’s consent. She had accused him of impersonation, copyright infringement, and exploiting her name for commercial gain.
Settlement Terms
The withdrawal was formalised under section 176 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Article 159(2)(c) of the Constitution, which encourages reconciliation and alternative dispute resolution instead of lengthy court battles.
A key condition of the settlement was a public apology from Ochora, which Charlene accepted as a sign of good faith. Under the agreement:
- Ochora is prohibited from publishing, distributing, or transferring the book’s rights to third parties.
- Any breach of the settlement terms gives Charlene the right to pursue civil remedies, even though the case has been dropped.
Court Proceedings And Closure
The matter, filed as MCCR No. 314 of 2025, was officially withdrawn on Monday. However, it is expected to return to the Milimani Magistrate’s Court on October 6 for formal closure.
Wider Implications
Legal analysts suggest the settlement could set a precedent for how unauthorised biographies and impersonation cases are resolved in Kenya.
Charlene stressed that while defending her name and reputation was critical, her decision to forgive demonstrated her belief in responsible leadership. She further reaffirmed her stand against defamation, impersonation, and online abuse, which she said undermine personal dignity.
