Young woman surprises Ruto with hug, spoken word performance at NYOTA launch
During the launch of a youth empowerment program in Nairobi, a young woman surprised President William Ruto by asking for a hug and performing a spoken word piece. The event, which disbursed funds to thousands of entrepreneurs, was marked by a light-hearted interaction between the President and the attendee.
Why it matters
The event highlights government efforts to engage with youth through economic empowerment programs while showcasing the informal nature of political public relations in Kenya.
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President William Ruto hug a young woman during the launch of the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata, Nairobi, on July 10, 2026/SCREENGRAB
President William Ruto's launch of the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme took an unexpected turn on Friday after a young woman walked onto the stage, asked for a hug and later delivered a spoken word performance that left both the President and the crowd entertained.
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