A video of a National Youth Service (NYS) officer cleaning Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Ababu Namwamba's shoes elicited mixed reactions countrywide.
In an incident which was recorded on Monday, November 7, the NYS officer was captured squatting while using a piece of cloth to clean Ababu's shoes.
The CS was also heard requesting NYS Director General Matilda Sakwa to allow him to tip the officer for his kind gesture.
"And I hope Madam Director General allows a tip," Namwamba posed amidst laughter from other top officials who had accompanied him.
"No! No! We do not allow a tip. It is part of their discipline," NYS DG Sakwa responded to Ababu.
After cleaning his shoes, Ababu went ahead to appreciate the NYS officer.
However, some Kenyans online castigated the CS, arguing that the move undermined NYS officers' status.
"This is more than undermining neocolonialism," Jabal Kitui wrote on Twitter.
"Bottom-up. The less fortunate are now polishing the shoes of the cabinet millionaires in public," another social media user wrote.
Others reprimanded President Willliam Ruto's government, arguing that it was deviating from its campaign pledges.
However, some Kenyans countered, arguing that the NYS officer only showcased his skills.
"The young man is showing his skills nothing wrong," Hill Lagat, a Human Resource Consultant, stated.
During the event, Ababu Namwamba vowed to increase the number of youth enlisted in NYS annually. He further vowed to streamline the sector.
"I endeavour to support the Service to attain the targeted youth intake of 20,000 annually, to upscale national service functions with particular emphasis on climate-smart agriculture and value addition for increased food production, propagation of tree seedlings and tree planting," Ababu stated.
The CS was accompanied by former Youth CS, Margaret Kobia.
