Ruto Attends WNBA Game Supporting Kenyan Star Okot

President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto sat courtside at Barclays Center on September 23, 2026, as the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 83-65. The result secured Atlanta the No. 4 playoff seed and home-court advantage in the first round, improved the team to 30-14, and marked a fifth straight win. They attended to support Madina Okot, the 6-foot-6 Kenyan center drafted 13th overall in 2026—the highest Kenyan pick and the first Kenyan woman to play in the WNBA. Ruto was accompanied by NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and members of NBA Africa. Atlanta held New York to 7 points in the second quarter and led 41-26 at halftime. After the game the Rutos hugged Okot, shared a laugh, and took a selfie on the court. Okot spoke Swahili with them and said she was so happy she did. She called the visit a very good honour, noted she is the only Kenyan over there, and said she hopes it opens opportunities for other girls. Ruto wrote that he attended to support the Kenyan-born star. The Atlanta Dream posted that Kenya's president had stopped by for their favorite Kenyan. CONTESTED: One account says Okot played about two minutes and recorded one rebound. Another says she had two points and two rebounds.