A courtside meeting between President William Ruto, First Lady Rachel Ruto and Kenyan basketball star Madina Okot provided one of the memorable moments of the President’s visit to New York.
President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto on Wednesday, September 23, watched Kenyan-born basketball star Madina Okot in action as her Atlanta Dream faced New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The President, who was in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, took time away from his official engagements to support Okot, who is making her mark in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
After the game, Ruto and Rachel met Okot on the court, where they exchanged greetings and shared a light moment.
Okot, who plays for the Atlanta Dream, described the President’s attendance as an honour.
“I’m the only Kenyan over here and it just shows how much he supports sports at home,” Okot said after the match. She also expressed hope that her journey would create opportunities for more Kenyan girls to pursue basketball.
Her appearance in Brooklyn came as she continues her debut WNBA season, following a journey that has taken her from Kenya to the American collegiate basketball system and now to one of the world’s most prominent women’s basketball leagues.
Okot was selected 13th overall by Atlanta in the 2026 WNBA Draft, becoming the first Kenyan woman to reach and play at that level.
The President later captured the occasion in a selfie with the First Lady and the basketball star.
‘I’m the only Kenyan here’, Madina Okot’s special moment with Ruto in New York
For Okot, the encounter also provided an opportunity to connect with Kenya’s First Family in a more personal moment.The basketball star later said she was happy to speak Swahili with Ruto and Rachel.
“That was a very good honor, I appreciate him showing up,” Okot told The Associated Press after Atlanta’s 83-65 win on Wednesday night.
On the court, Atlanta Dream defeated New York Liberty 83-65, with Okot recording two points and two rebounds.
Ruto watched the game with his wife Rachel together with NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum as well as members of NBA Africa.
