Being president, especially in Kenya, can be a hectic job and one might occasionally need a break to cool your mind.
Here are the five activities that President Uhuru Kenyatta does when he is not being president.
1. Taking Drives.
The president has on different occasions been caught on camera driving himself on the busy Kenyan streets.
He has in the past, as an MP, slipped away from the eye of his security detail to enjoy some private time, and what better way to do that than have a calming solo drive.
In 2016, the president was caught breaking traffic rules by Kenyans when he entered his car and drove to his Gatundu home without a wearing a seat belt. Kenyans were shocked by the president’s poor judgment to drive a vehicle without considering traffic regulations.
One Kenyan reacted to the above stating, "And why is my President not wearing a seat belt? He likes to joke and it's dangerous,” wrote Jano Nyaga.
2. Photography
One of President Kenyatta's more subtle leisure time activities is photography. Not many people know about it, except those close to him. In the images below, Uhuru was leading State House staff in a tree planting exercise at the residence. He then took a camera and started taking photos of his staff as they planted trees.
3. Watching Wildlife
Uhuru enjoys watching wildlife. One of his first acts as president was to bring in lifesize statues of the big 5 to State House.
He is an avid campaigner for anti-poaching efforts. On the eve of announcing electoral results in 2017, Uhuru spent time with his wife, first lady Margaret Kenyatta, watching wildlife.
President Uhuru made history in 2017 when he set aflame the largest consignment ever of impounded elephant ivory.
In his speech that day, he stated that the exercise should serve a warning to poachers and ivory merchants that Kenya would take all measures to protect its wildlife.
4. Spending time with family
The president is a strong family man and even disclosed that State House was not the same when his children are not around.
Uhuru lives with wife since all his children have moved out. During a visit to the diaspora, he went a step further and gave the audience some marital advice.
He told Kenyans that couples should occasionaly disagree and that it was healthy. He further noted that his disagreements with his wife bring them closer and that life would be boring if they agreed on everything.
5. Meeting Wananchi
Away from State House, Uhuru enjoys being among Kenyans. It is here, during his impromptu off the cuff meetings that he usually comes to the level of ordinary citizens making jokes and giving out his hearty laugh.
He occasionally hosts school children and even has a presidential mentorship scheme for highschoolers which Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed termed as revolutionary when he was on a state visit to Kenya.
Uhuru has also been spotted at local joints enjoying meals with the electorate. In December 2018, while heading to Mombasa on the SGR, Uhuru ditched security protocol and mingled freely with Kenyans aboard the train.
He took an initiative to pass his regards to most of those on the train while having a small talk with some of them.
Kenyas first President Jomo Kenyatta, also had similar traits as he enjoyed hosting traditional dances and listening to songs by choirs at his hone.
President Moi spent a part of his time watching football and instituted many tournaments in his name. He was also an avid farmer.
