A student from Alliance Boys High School told President Uhuru Kenyatta that he soon occupy State House.
“I tell you Mr President that I will occupy this residence,” 14-year-old Brian Toroitich told an amused Uhuru at State House, Nairobi on Thursday night.
Toroitich was among students visiting hosted by the President as part of a mentorship program.
“You see, Mr President, when I was born, Daniel Moi was the President and my grandfather named me Toroitich. People used to call me Brian Toroitich arap Moi,” the student said.
“When President Kibaki took over, they started calling me Brian Toroitich arap Moi Kibaki. And now that they have seen me here…Now Mr. President, my name has become too long and they cannot add Uhuru Kenyatta and they call me Mr president,” he added.
The Form One boy paused again to let the cheers and laughter to subside and it was when everyone in the room became silent, with his gaze now fixed on President Kenyatta, that he made the declaration that he will one day be President.
Fourty seven students visited State House on Thursday as part of the Pupils Reward Scheme, initiated by Uhuru to inspire youth on leadership and responsibility. The students have been living in State House for a week.
The program, which kicked off this month, selects students from all counties based on criteria of academic performance, talent and innovation.
The selected students are given first-hand exposure to how the highest level of government works. They also get to interact with the President, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and senior government officials.
Lavenda Ochieng from Alliance Girls said it was an experience of a lifetime that has changed her perspective on life.
“We have got exposure to this country’s wonderful government and it has shown us that where you come from does not matter. We will be the next great leaders of this country,” she said.
Christine Lekishon from Asumbi Girls said it was her first time in Nairobi and felt delighted she had been booked to stay at State House for a week.
She spoke about what she learnt from their interaction with top military chiefs earlier in the afternoon when they toured the Defence headquarters.
“Now I know being a soldier means that one has to sacrifice to defend our country and I urge everyone to sacrifice to build our nation,” she said.
During the visit to the Department of Defence headquarters, they were hosted by Chief of the Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe.
They got the opportunity to ask him questions about the military and what it entails to serve as a Kenyan soldier.
– the-star.co.ke
