Girl Moves President Ruto to Tears with Poem

President William Ruto was visibly moved during his tour of Bomet after a young girl recited an emotional poem that left him in tears.

The girl was lifted onto the roof of Ruto's vehicle by his bodyguards, with the President also holding her as she climbed onto the open-roof platform.

As she settled beside him, Ruto warmly embraced her before turning to the crowd.

“Si tusikize hii poem ya huyu mrembo?” Ruto asked, drawing a loud “Yes!” from the crowd.

Ruto then leaned against his vehicle and handed the girl a microphone.

“Wapi tutam ya babu William ebu nione?” she began, prompting laughter from the crowd and the President himself.

Ruto gently embraced her as she prepared to continue.

“Wacha niseme,” the girl said before launching into the poem in Kalenjin.

In the poem, the girl urged Ruto to remain strong despite the criticism and political insults directed at him, telling him not to be intimidated, threatened or shaken.

She encouraged him to stand firm like the biblical King David and invoked God's promise to prosper and give him hope.

She also referred to some of the names and chants directed at the President, including “Kasongo” and “Ruto must go”, before encouraging him to listen but let the criticism pass.

Here is what she said: 

"‎Babu William, before I offer you a gift, let me recite for you a poem. Babu William, I have a word. Even though I am a young child, a word from a child carries great strength. Do not be intimidated, do not be threatened and do not be shaken. Even though you might be called names like Kasongo, one term, Ruto must go, and many others that you will be called‎, stay strong; listen with one ear and let it pass through the other. Stand firm like King David. God has good plans for you, plans to prosper, not to harm you, but to give you hope. Thank you, our leader who has been anointed."

As she recited the poem, the girl became increasingly emotional and began crying, but continued with the performance as the crowd cheered her on.

At several points, she paused as emotions took over, only for cheers from the crowd to encourage her to continue.

Ruto smiled and repeatedly embraced the girl as she delivered the poem.

When she finished, Ruto held her in a gentle embrace before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a white handkerchief.

He wiped his eyes, appearing emotional, before using the same handkerchief to wipe the girl's tears.

The two then exchanged a few words while Ruto smiled, prompting more cheers and laughter from the crowd.

Ruto took the microphone from her and placed it on the roof of his vehicle before continuing to wipe his eyes. He also blew his nose as the girl remained visibly emotional beside him.

The President later helped the girl down from the vehicle, with his bodyguards assisting her as she returned to the crowd.

The emotional moment came as Ruto toured Bomet, where he interacted with residents and received performances from members of the public.

The emotional encounter came as President William Ruto began a four-day development tour of the South Rift, covering Bomet and Kericho counties from September 9 to 12.

The tour includes the inspection and commissioning of roads, healthcare facilities, affordable housing projects and markets across the two counties.