President William Ruto broke from the script on Thursday. In Malindi, he stepped away from a formal programme and sat down for lunch at a roadside kibanda.
The stop was brief, informal and widely shared online. It also stirred a familiar argument about politics, symbolism and timing.
The President was in Kilifi County to oversee the disbursement of Nyota Business Start-Up Capital funds, a government scheme aimed at young entrepreneurs. Before returning to official duties, he joined residents at a modest eatery known for affordable meals. Videos showed him seated beside locals, chatting easily as diners looked on.
Residents greeted him with songs and applause. Online, the reaction was split.
Some critics said the moment felt staged, a gesture designed to win favour as the next general election draws closer. Supporters pushed back, saying the President was staying true to his “bottom-up” message and showing ease among ordinary citizens.
At Buntwani Waterfront Park earlier in the day, Mr Ruto addressed thousands of young people from Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River counties. The government allocated Sh160 million to more than 5,000 beneficiaries. Each received Sh25,000 in the first phase.
Of that amount, Sh22,000 was sent directly to business support wallets, while Sh3,000 went into Haba na Haba savings accounts managed under the National Social Security Fund.
In his speech, Mr Ruto said the programme showed his administration was “delivering on the plan” to back youth-led enterprise. He urged young Kenyans not to be held back by limited formal education and to make use of state-backed opportunities.
The Nyota programme pairs cash support with basic business training, completed before funds are released.
The kibanda lunch added a human scene to a policy-heavy day. For supporters, it reinforced a leader comfortable on the ground. For critics, it raised questions about performance and politics.
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