Kibii (Ruta)

Kibii is a member of a Kipsigis tribe that "adopts" Beryl after her mother abandons her. He becomes her childhood friend. Social norms, however, force them to part ways as they get older. Years later, after he has passed into manhood and has been given the name of Ruta, they reconnect. His presence gives Beryl strength as she overcomes challenging situations such as having no horses to train and wanting to get her flying license. She considers him, his wife, and his son to be part of her family and Kibii (Ruta) stands by her in the later years even though he doesn't always approve of her choices in men.