‘Mother-in-law’ star Ninja and family elated after meeting President Ruto during Europe diaspora tour: “So happy”

HELSINKI, Finland – Veteran Mother-in-Law actor Jeff Okello, popularly known as Ninja, has expressed joy after meeting President William Ruto as the head of state concluded his visit to three European nations.

Ninja met the president on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a town hall meeting in Helsinki, Finland, with Kenyans living and working across the Nordic region.

“He (President Ruto) was charming. He was an orator and a good storyteller, always making people smile and laugh. He even told us that he was living in Finland some 30 years ago in a place called Lahti, especially in a place called Nastola,” Ninja told news9.africa.

In an exclusive interview with news9.africa, Ninja observed that President Ruto is ‘quite’ conversant with Finland, adding that the Kenyan leader has friends in the Nordic country located in Northern Europe, bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north, Russia to the east, and the Gulf of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland to the south.

“So when I got a chance to take a photo with him, I just introduced myself like I’m Jeff. I’ve been an actor in Kenya, and then I said, ‘Nice to meet you.’ So how do you find this place? And my family and I are looking forward to becoming better investors in Kenyan projects and improvements, building Kenya and marketing Kenya in all possible ways. And then we had a selfie, and he was on his way out,” added Ninja.

Why Ninja felt that President Ruto is a busy man

During their interaction, Ninja stated that he had realised President Ruto is very busy.

“He even told us that tomorrow he has a function in Kenya at 8 in the morning. So he was just like leaving that place at around 7pm to 8pm straight to the airport. He seems like a busy guy. He seems like he’s just around the clock, like working,” Ninja said further.

Ninja, who has been living in Finland with his family since late 2018 after relocating from Kenya, also expressed gratitude for the time he interacted with the president, describing it as good.

“It was a good experience to meet the president for the first time with my wife as well, which was a very commendable thing. Like for me, it was like an achievement. Rubbing shoulders with the president is not a small thing, and I truly appreciate the goodness,” emphasised Ninja.

The Kenyan workforce is one of our greatest assets – educated, talented and globally competitive. As we expand opportunities at home, we are also facilitating access to quality jobs abroad, enabling our professionals and technical staff to grow their incomes, acquire valuable… pic.twitter.com/mgLT2JXNcV

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) June 12, 2026

During the meeting, President Ruto encouraged the Kenyan diaspora to support and invest in the transformative programmes the government is implementing back home.

What strides Kenya is making back at home

The president explained that significant progress is being made back home despite perceptions created by some media reports.

“Our affordable housing programme, for example, is changing Kenya’s skyline across the breadth and length of our country,” he said.

He added:

“We are building 300,000 units, 180,000 student hostels, and 500 modern markets for KSh93 billion, funds locally raised under the Affordable Housing Fund.”

He explained that the challenge of informal settlements in Nairobi is gradually being addressed, with modern housing replacing shanties.

“In Kibera alone, we are constructing 10,000 units, and I am confident that we will totally eradicate that slum within the next seven years,” he said.

President Ruto holds talks with Alexander Stubb

Ninja also disclosed that President Ruto had discussions with Alexander Stubb of Finland, in which they discussed matters of IT and how to improve the tech world in Kenya and make a bigger percentage of Kenyan citizens tech-savvy.

“President Ruto felt this is a great approach to strengthen the bilateral ties we have with Finland. Also, he said Kenya should now focus on having nuclear energy instead of normal energy like power, i.e., electric power. And if we focus on nuclear energy like it’s a new avenue, it’s also clean energy,” Ninja said.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Finland for the warm hospitality and friendship accorded to us during our two-day State Visit.

We also thank Their Excellencies Alexander Stubb and Suzanne Innes-Stubb for their gracious reception, as well as the Kenyan… pic.twitter.com/4LK3BSGqcU

— Mama Rachel Ruto, EGH (@MamaRachelRuto) June 11, 2026

President Ruto indicated that the next step of his vision that he has for Kenyan energy is investing in nuclear power.

“He claimed that Kenya produces 3,000 kilowatts of power, and we need more than that. As he said, 30,000, I guess. So, like we are lagging by more than like 90%. So, we (Kenya) are working towards clean energy and nuclear. Nuclear energy is up on the cards,” Ninja recalled.

Ninja’s wife reacts to her interaction with Ruto

When reached for comment, Ninja’s wife, Katja Maria, told news9.africa that President Ruto also disclosed plans for Kenya to open a consulate in Finland or Norway.

Katja also disclosed that she shook hands with the head of state and even captured a video during their brief interaction.

“All in all, I have to say you (Kenyans) have a good president. He (Ruto) is really trying to change Kenya for the better. I liked that he has a great sense of humour too. If I could, I would vote for him!” said the delighted Katja, adding that she was happy to meet him.

news9.africa understands that present at the Town Hall meeting were First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto; Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi; Cabinet Secretaries William Kabogo (ICT) and Deborah Barasa (Environment); principal secretaries; and MPs, among other senior officials.

President Ruto outlined the key outcomes of his state visit to Finland and official visits to Belgium and Norway, saying they would strengthen economic cooperation and expand opportunities for Kenyans.