Silas Wanjeru, the sculptor who pushed a wheelbarrow from Nakuru to Karen to gift Deputy President William Ruto, has maintained his adamance to meet the second in command.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Sunday, May 29, the artist, who views himself as Ruto's diehard, noted that he traveled for five days arriving in Nairobi on the evening of Tuesday, May 24.
Ever since, he has been stranded in Karen and is determined to meet his icon before embarking on a return trip. As a supporter, he sees his service as an additional campaign effort for the presidential candidate.
"I was stopped at the gate but that is normal because of security officers unless an order comes down. I am focused on peace as an ambassador of William Ruto from Nakuru.
"As an artist, I would like the DP to value my art and if he can support me so that I can help other Kenyans who have the dream to eradicate poverty. I would like the DP to hold my hand as an artist because we have shown our talents," he stated.
On Sunday, Wanjeru, who is known as Silas Msanii, revealed that the office of the DP has reached out to him and promised to arrange his meeting once Ruto returned to Nairobi. The team, however, claimed that it was not aware of when the DP would be in the city.
"The (team from Ruto) has already come up and told me that immediately he arrives in Nairobi, they would prepare a way forward for me. It was a call from the DP's office. They have seen me and I have spent days here," he added.
In the span of five days that Wanjeru has been in Karen, he has faced numerous challenges, top on the list being shelter as well as food.
He has had to contend with unbearable weather conditions and irregular meals but remains grateful to neighbours from the surrounding.
"Surviving has been a challenge because of the weather and maintaining the security for the sculpture of the DP because I am just an ordinary Kenyan.
"I have been supported by supporters of William Ruto as well as well-wishers from the surrounding who give me lunch and breakfast. I have the morale to wait for him," he quipped.
When asked whether he broke his bank while making the sculptor for the second in command, he made it clear that the cost did not matter. He was more interested in delivering the gift.
He borrowed a leaf from his own 2019 endeavor in which he created a similar artifact for President Uhuru Kenyatta and successfully delivered it to him, reaping great rewards in return.
"I have awarded President Uhuru Kenyatta the sculpture which I cycled using my bike for another five days. The Government of Uhuru has also enabled me to appreciate the DP. I was received by the Office of the President in 2019. I was well received
"Uhuru has supported me in terms of having equipment to maintain my art. Also, I was offered materials and been able to pay school fees because I am a father of four and I appreciate whatever I received," he said of the Head of State.
