A light-hearted moment unfolded at State House, Nairobi, today when President William Ruto accidentally addressed his Deputy, Kithure Kindiki, using the wrong title during a meeting with chiefs from across the country.
The gathering, which focused on the Jukwaa la Usalama Report, began with Deputy President Kindiki inviting the President to address the assembled chiefs.
Kindiki kicked off the session with a formal yet humorous introduction, saying, “Rais Ruto ni faya si faya. Rais Ruto ni noma si noma. Naomba tusimame tupige salute tumkaribishe Rais. Karibu Mr President, you are welcome and we look forward to listening to you.”
When President Ruto took to the podium, he momentarily misaddressed Kindiki as “Mheshimiwa Rais” instead of Deputy President, prompting a ripple of laughter across the room. Realizing his slip, Ruto quickly corrected himself, turning the minor gaffe into a memorable moment of humor.
“Shukrani sana Mheshimiwa Rais, eerh Mheshimiwa Deputy President,” Ruto said, smiling as the room erupted in laughter.
The President’s swift correction and light-hearted acknowledgment of the mistake helped ease the atmosphere, turning what could have been an awkward moment into one of camaraderie and amusement.
The incident highlighted the informal side of high-level engagements, showing that even top leaders are capable of humor and human error.
Chiefs attending the meeting appeared to enjoy the exchange, with some chuckling openly at the slip. The brief comedic interlude did not disrupt the proceedings, which focused on reviewing security matters and strategies for enhancing law and order across the country.
The gathering at State House brought together chiefs from all corners of Kenya to discuss the findings of the Jukwaa la Usalama Report.
While the agenda was serious, the interaction between President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki offered a rare glimpse into the lighter side of political leadership, reminding attendees and observers alike that moments of humor can coexist with governance.
The event concluded with President Ruto delivering remarks on national security, local governance, and the role of chiefs in community leadership.
Despite the slip, the meeting proceeded smoothly, reinforcing both the significance of the discussions and the rapport among Kenya’s top leaders.
