A man who surged toward President William Ruto during a public engagement in Wajir has given his account, insisting he meant no harm and only wanted to share his political goals with the President.
In a video reviewed by Radio Generation, the man said he was motivated by his aspiration to hold the MCA seat in his area.
“Mimi nilitaka kuongea na Rais kwa sababu nasimama kiti ya MCA huko kwetu,” he said.
He explained that he did not expect the encounter to cause disruption.
“That was the time the president was summarising his speech, and I just wanted to greet him, and I didn’t know that my actions would cause trouble. I am hopeful that I will see him,” he added.
According to him, he tripped and fell on the carpet before reaching the President and was swiftly removed by security officers.
The episode occurred as Ruto addressed Nyota Fund beneficiaries in Mandera. As he spoke, an unidentified man ran from the crowd toward the stage, triggering an immediate reaction from security. The President, however, asked that the situation be handled gently.
“Eei, so sorry, leave him alone, let him relax there. He should sit down somewhere there, and I will see him later,” Ruto told his team, signalling for a more measured response. Afterward, the programme continued smoothly.
This was not the first time such a scenario had unfolded. On February 6, a similar incident happened in Mombasa during another Nyota youth empowerment event at Jomo Kenyatta Showground. Ruto was overseeing the distribution of Sh147 million in business start-up capital to 5,880 young entrepreneurs from Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita-Taveta counties.
While engaging the crowd, Ruto casually asked, “Wapi mtu wa mwisho hapa (where is the last person)?” Shortly after, a man sprinted toward the podium, surprising security. Officers moved in quickly, but the President intervened.
“Habari yako boss, wachana naye,” Ruto said, signaling them to allow the man a moment to speak, causing laughter among the audience.
He then asked the man’s name. “Unaitwa nani?”
“Naitwa Jeremiah,” the man answered.
“Very good, Jeremiah,” the President said, jokingly adding, “Naona umeweka box,” in reference to the man’s hairstyle. He also noticed Jeremiah’s shoes.
“Viatu imepotea wapi?” Ruto asked.
“Nimeziwacha,” Jeremiah replied, prompting more laughter. The President then encouraged him to speak.
“Sasa sema, Jeremiah,” he said.
As Jeremiah started to explain, saying, “Sasa Your Excellency, mimi ni...” the President asked, “Kwanza umetoka wapi (where have you come from)?” He revealed he had traveled from Nairobi and had followed Ruto to Kisumu and Nakuru.
“Mimi nimetoka Nairobi. Nimekuwa nawe Kisumu, nimekuwa nawe Nakuru (I have come from Nairobi. I have been with you in Kisumu and Nakuru),” he said.
When Ruto asked if he was a beneficiary of the programme, Jeremiah admitted:
“Mimi sio mtu wa NYOTA hapa (I am not a beneficiary),” he said.
The President instructed him to wait.
“Sasa wewe utangoja kidogo, wacha nimalizane na hawa, tutashughulika na wewe (You will wait a little. Let me finish with these people first, then we will handle your case),” he said, after which a security officer calmly escorted Jeremiah away from the podium.
