Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

Kenya’s tycoon politicians in race to look ordinary – PHOTOS


Kenya’s top politicians are on a charm offensive to look ordinary to the electorate before the campaigns for next year general elections start in earnest.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga have recently dispensed with the trappings of wealth and power in efforts to reach out to people in the grassroots.

The attempt at folksy populism has seen them being pictured in mud-walled houses and eateries. Over the weekend, the President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto shared photos of their moments in mud houses.

Not to be left behind, Mr Odinga’s handlers fished out an old photo of him in a mud-walled house with an old woman and circulated it on social media.

President Kenyatta was in Ndigu-ini village, in Ndeiya, Kiambu county to launch the last mile power connectivity project.

PHOTO | PSCU
PHOTO | PSCU

He switched on the power alongside the host family to the delight of residents and government officials present.

 President Kenyatta with the host family in Ndigu-ini village, in Ndeiya, Kiambu county. PHOTO | PSCU
President Kenyatta with the host family in Ndigu-ini village, in Ndeiya, Kiambu county. PHOTO | PSCU

Moments later, the President received a stalk of sugarcane from an elderly woman. His security detail allowed the woman access to hug the President.

PHOTO | PSCU
PHOTO | PSCU

His deputy was on the same day in Kamagut, Uasin Gishu county, where he opted for a lunch date at an grass-thatched, mud-walled kiosk while on transit from a Sunday church service.

PHOTO | DPPU
PHOTO | DPPU

Mr Ruto was pictured at Maili Tisa devouring kienyeji chicken served in enamel plates.

PHOTO | DPPU
PHOTO | DPPU

Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s supporters while sharing the old photo during his tenure as Lang’ata MP where he was pictured in a Kibera shanty, argued that the Jubilee leaders are late comers in reaching out to the poor.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY