Charlene Ruto went viral after dancing at an International Youth Day 2025 event.
The International Youth Day event took place on Monday, August 12, 2025, bringing together young people to celebrate their role in shaping a better future.
This year’s theme — “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond” — highlighted the need for grassroots initiatives to achieve global transformation.
Charlene Ruto, who is also the founder of the Smachs Foundation, joined in the celebrations alongside hundreds of young people.
A video shared online showed Charlene dressed in a white t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers as she danced to a hit song by Awilo Longomba.
Leading from the front, she pulled off an energetic dance move that sent the crowd cheering.
The video quickly went viral, dividing opinion among Kenyans.
Some praised her for embracing youth culture and engaging with young people directly.
“She connects well with the youth and is showing them she’s one of them,” wrote one supporter.
Others felt her dancing lacked restraint for a public figure of her stature, calling for more decorum in official events.
Despite the mixed reactions, Charlene has positioned herself as a youth voice, frequently attending events that spotlight innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Her active presence continues to spark debate on how public figures balance personal expression with official roles.
