Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto, has withdrawn her case against author Webster Ochora Eliah following an out-of-court settlement.
The dispute centred on a book titled Beyond the Name, which Ochora published without Charlene’s consent. She had accused him of impersonation, copyright infringement and exploiting her name for commercial gain.
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 outside lengthy court trials.
Key to the settlement was a public apology from Ochora, which Charlene accepted as a gesture of good faith. Under the agreement, the author is prohibited from publishing, distributing, or transferring the book’s rights to third parties.
Any breach of these terms would allow Charlene to pursue civil remedies despite the case being dropped.
The matter, filed as MCCR No. 314 of 2025, was officially withdrawn on Monday, though it is expected to return to the Milimani Magistrate’s Court on 6 October for formal closure.
Legal observers say the case could set an important precedent for how disputes over unauthorised biographies are resolved in Kenya.
Charlene noted that while defending her name and reputation was crucial, her decision to forgive highlighted her belief in responsible leadership and her stand against defamation, impersonation, and online abuse that undermine personal dignity.
