President William Ruto on Saturday, November 29, put aside the intensity of his Garissa development tour for a few hours and joined the family of National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director-General Noordin Haji in celebrating his son’s wedding in a quiet but strikingly elegant ceremony held in Masalani town, Ijara Constituency.
The event drew close family friends and a small circle of political leaders; the theme of white was instantly noticeable. From flowing kanzus to crisp shawls and turbans, almost every guest showed up in white attire, giving the courtyard a peaceful yet celebratory atmosphere.
Ruto, known for his brightly patterned shirts when touring, melted easily into the day’s mood, dressed in simple white and offering warm handshakes and easy smiles to guests. At one point, he was seen chatting casually with a beaming Mohammed Noordin Mohamed Y. Haji – the groom – capturing the rare moment when the nation’s top leaders looked more like family friends than high-ranking officials.
The actual ceremony was a Nikkah, the Islamic union of the couple through prayer, consent, and the presence of witnesses. It was low-key and dignified. In accord with both Somali and Islamic traditions, the bride, Jamila Mohamed, did not make a public appearance at her wedding ceremony so that that intimate moment would remain very private and sacred for her family.
The presence of the regional leaders underlined the influence of the family. Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, popularly known as Madobe, flew in specifically for the wedding, while Oburu Odinga – the new leader of the ODM party – was also there, a rare mix of political personalities who, for a day, put aside politics for celebration and respect.
Ruto’s attendance came shortly after he wrapped up a series of development engagements in the area. He had earlier that morning launched the 376-unit Masalani Affordable Housing Project, promising it would open up jobs and give residents “dignified, modern homes.” He also inaugurated Yusuf Haji Girls’ Secondary School named after the late Senator Yusuf Haji handing over a new school bus and breaking ground for the institution’s Phase II expansion.
But at the wedding, none of that urgency showed. The pace was slower. Conversations were softer. Guests lingered after the Nikkah-sharing greetings and prayerful wishes and quiet laughter-in the afternoon heat.
