Getting camera-ready: Ruto’s quick touch-up before going live during national address
A viral video shows Kenyan President William Ruto receiving a makeup touch-up before a nationally televised address regarding the country's development agenda. The clip provided a rare behind-the-scenes look at presidential preparations for public broadcasts.
Why it matters
It humanizes political leadership and highlights the intersection of modern media production and statecraft in the digital age.
A makeup artist gives President William Ruto a light makeup touch-up before he delivered his Special National Address at State House, Nairobi, on July 30, 2026. /SCREENGRAB
A video of President William Ruto getting a light makeup touch-up moments before delivering his Special National Address on Thursday evening has surfaced online, offering Kenyans a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes preparations that precede a nationally televised presidential address.
The short clip, filmed at State House, shows a makeup artist carefully preparing the President as he waited to address the nation on Kenya's development agenda beyond Vision 2030.
Dressed in a navy blue vintage suit, light blue shirt and red tie, Ruto sat calmly as the makeup artist lightly sprayed a setting mist across his face before gently shielding his eyes with one hand to prevent the spray from getting into them.
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