President William Ruto was momentarily taken aback during his development tour in Makueni County after a woman he engaged in conversation candidly admitted she did not recognize him — or any of the officials accompanying him.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the President is seen walking beside the woman, smiling as he attempts to strike up a light-hearted conversation.
“Unajua hawa watu? Ni wageni sana? Na mimi, unanijua?” Ruto asked cheerfully.
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“Apana,” the woman replied without hesitation.
Ruto, still smiling, pressed on: “Lakini nimekuja hapa mara nyingi, ama bado?”
“Bado,” she repeated, reaffirming that she had never seen him before.
Despite the unexpected response, the President kept his composure, explaining the purpose of his visit — to inspect the newly built bridge meant to address persistent flooding challenges in the area.
The two also discussed ongoing road projects, with the woman urging Ruto to fast-track their completion.
The incident occurred during the President’s first stop in Makueni as part of his four-day development tour across the Eastern region.
His itinerary included inspecting the Affordable Housing Project in Wote, commissioning the Kasikeu and Mikuyuni bridges, issuing over 2,000 title deeds to residents, and launching construction of the Emali-Ukia Road.
The light moment sparked reactions online, with Kenyans offering mixed interpretations. Some viewed it as a reflection of rural disconnection from national politics, while others saw it as symbolic of growing public disillusionment.
“It can be true, some of them never go beyond the market — no radio, no TV, nothing,” one user wrote on X.
Another remarked, “That’s what betrayal by power does — it erases even the memory of trust.”
President Ruto’s Eastern tour is expected to culminate in a leaders’ meeting in Machakos on Saturday, November 15, focusing on development acceleration and regional equity.