Mrs Clinton answers man who wanted her daughter

By Karanja Njoroge and Vitalis Kimutai

It is not often that a girl is wooed through the mother, but US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took the question happily and easily. In these tough times, so the question went, when the US is facing tough economic times that may have compelled her husband, former President Bill Clinton back to work, would she consider the substantial livestock offered by a Kenyan man for her only daughter’s hand in marriage?

Amused by the unexpected question from Mr Fareed Zakaria of CNN, who was moderating a public forum at the University of Nairobi yesterday, Clinton said, it would be up to Chelsea to decide, as she is "very independent". But she would dutifully pass on the message to her daughter, she said.

Chepkurgor had first written to then President Clinton offering 40 goats, and 20 cows in the year 2000, in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

Yesterday, Chepkurgor said he was elated by the response, adding that he had been waiting for more than eight years for a response.

Well, the man has not been exactly waiting; he got married in 2006 after waiting in vain for Chelsea. But that does not mean the prospects are sealed; he can take a second wife.

"I express joy and happiness that, after a long time the Clinton family has responded," Chepkurgor said, when The Standard caught up with him in Nakuru, yesterday.

Honest proposal

When the Clintons toured East Africa in 2000, Chepkurgor, then a fourth-year student at Moi University, made his intentions clear by expressing the desires of his heart.

During a public debate at the University of Nairobi yesterday, Mrs Clinton said her daughter is mature enough to decide on her own, but she would nonetheless pass the message to her. Her response sent the audience roaring with laughter.

Yesterday, Chepkurgor said he decided to move on, marrying his college mate, Grace, at Kabarak University Chapel on December 2, 2006. They have two children Sheilla Chebet three, and Rabboni Burgei one. But he says he still keeps tabs on Chelsea.

He said contrary to some people who viewed his proposal as taking a joke too far, he was honest and serious on the issue.

"When I made the proposal I was very serious and I still love her," he added.

Chepkurgor, who was attending a seminar for census supervisors when the US Secretary of State made the comment, said the response surprised him. "Though I always hoped and I have been following Hillary’s tour, I did not expect the response yesterday," he said, alluding to Clinton’s answer to Zakaria’s light-hearted question.

"When I came back my colleague informed me that Mrs Clinton had responded to my offer to marry her daughter," he added.

Still wondering

Chepkurgor, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology graduate, says he is ready to increase his offer of 40 goats and 20 cows if all goes well.

"In African traditions the groom makes the initial offer while the bride’s family can come up with a counter offer," he says.

"I am still wondering why her mother did not bring her along," Chepkurgor, now a businessman in Nakuru, said of Chelsea, 29.

He said recently that although he is happily married, he would explain his position to Chelsea if they met even later in life.

In 2002, Chepkurgor caused a stir while in college when he wrote and dispatched a letter to the Clintons at the White House, in Washington.

"I offered to pay 40 goats and 20 beef cattle as dowry to the former First family. In line with African tradition, I preferred dealing directly with the parents," Chepkurgor said.

But the most interesting aspect of the letter was his referee. They included former President Moi, former MP and Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Zipporah Kittony, Prof Margaret Kamar who is now an MP, and two of his former college mates, Mr John Tanui and Mr Joseph Siror.

"I picked on Moi because he was my President, chancellor, MP, and patron of my former high school, Kabarak," Chepkurgor recalled.

Renewed attempts

Tanui, now working with Wauwei Technologies and Siror an employee of Kenya Revenue Authority — were his friends and college mates.

During President Clinton’s visit to Kenya on July 22, 2005, secret service agents were on the alert when The Standard exclusively broke the man’s intentions and renewed attempts to initiate contact with the former President.

The story ran on the same day Clinton arrived in Kenya and it attracted the attention of local and foreign press, which picked and circulated it worldwide.