Despite leading the country through a global pandemic and economic recovery, President Uhuru Kenyatta showcased his outgoing and cheerful personality.
In his last year in office, Uhuru balanced the job’s demands, political pressure, succession race by sharing light moments with politicians and common citizens.
Here are some highlights of these moments.
Uhuru and Ruto in Kirinyaga
During the Mashujaa Day Celebrations on Wednesday, October 20, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, were captured on camera sharing a light moment. In the 11 second video, the president could be seen conversing with his deputy.
The two periodically broke into laughter. Ruto would in turn greet him with the Indian gesture, namaste, before retreating to his seat.
The light moment shared by the duo excited a number of Kenyans who had been treated to a political showdown between the two months prior to the ceremony.
Uhuru on KDF babies
Speaking during the 10th anniversary of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) day on Saturday, October 16, the Head of State joked on not lifting the curfew owing to the number of newborns at the military camp.
Uhuru was pleased by the increase of newborn babies, stating that the country should emulate the KDF and increase the nation’s population.
“From what I have witnessed here in Kahawa, Nairobi, it seems like curfew must stay. The number of newborns in this area has increased. Let this curfew go on as we want Kenya's population to continue growing. God bless you all)," Uhuru joked amid laughter and cheers from the military officers
Uhuru Drives Self
While inspecting the Green Park Terminus at Old Railways Club in Nairobi on Sunday, March 7, Uhuru drove himself in and out of the terminus aboard a Range Rover Vogue.
The 2020 model then cost approximately Ksh15 million before modification.
The presidential escort unit officials were aboard other cars which were part of the entourage. His aide de camp, however, rode alongside Uhuru.
The President stopped briefly to greet the crowd that was chanting his name.
"Eh mambo! Mko salama wote. (Hello. I hope you are all fairing well)," Uhuru, dressed in a maroon short-sleeved shirt said before speeding away.
The car was first spotted at the Lee Funeral Home on December 18, 2020, when the first family passed by the morgue to pass their condolences to the President's niece.
Uhuru Rocks a Baby at Hospital
Uhuru while commissioning two hospitals in the informal Kibra settlements shared a beautiful moment with a newborn baby and her mother Eunice Liavuli.
Liavuli revealed that she rushed her daughter to the Kibera Level III Hospital due to her rising body temperature, only to bump into the head of state.
The baby was treated but was not discharged despite her fever dropping. The 29-year-old mother added that while seated on the hospital bed, she noticed Uhuru together with other government officials walking towards her.
“He requested to carry my baby,” the excited young mother recalled.
Liavuli considered the gesture by the Commander-in-Chief a blessing. Her baby, she stated, would do great exploits after meeting Uhuru.
Uhuru Surprises Radio Presenter
President Uhuru Kenyatta surprised a presenter at Ruben FM on Tuesday night, July 6, when he visited the radio station unannounced.
Uhuru had toured Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum and stopped at Ruben FM while a radio show analysing the Euro 2020 was live on air.
The radio presenter Shaffie Zele, spoke to Kenyans.co.ke the day after and stated that he was caught off guard but maintained his cool. The two spoke briefly on the European national team’s Uhuru then supported at the Euro tourney that was eventually won by Italy.
Shaffie Zele also requested President Kenyatta to grant him an interview, a request the Head of State promised to look into.