Gospel singer and pencil artist Fred K Kapenso recounted the life-changing events after meeting President William Ruto in 2021.
In an interview on JeffKuria Tv on Wednesday, November 9, the artist recalled how he dived into drawings after losing two daughters at birth and subsequently parting ways with his wife.
His music career was also not paying his bills during the trying times. However, through his pencil drawing skills, he met Ruto who later gifted him a car.
"One day I heard William Ruto is coming to Kikuyu courtesy of MP Kimani Ichung'wah and I approached the church minister to allow me to sing a song during the service,"
"I went online, and got photos of Ruto and drew him to prepare to see him. Again, I reached out to the minister and told him since there was no time to sing I would like to present Ruto with a drawing," he explained.
During the church service, the artist was on the edge of his seat waiting for his name to be called but it was not until the last minute that the church minister turned Ruto's attention to Fred.
“After presenting the drawing, Ruto hugged me. This was a memorable moment for me. I was however shoved away by the bodyguards but I had my phone number on the drawing and hoped he will reach out. Ruto's son reached out and said I did a good job for his father," the artist stated.
After a few days, Ruto invited the artist to his residence in Karen. He lamented he did not have money and was locked out of his rental house and was forced to borrow Ksh200 for the trip on August 2, 2021.
"I went to Karen on a motorbike, I came back in my own car and that's how my life changed," he stated.
He also met former President Uhuru Kenyatta when he presented a drawing to the ex-Head of State.
The pencil artist is meticulous in his work drawing several familiar faces like the former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge and other renowned personalities.
Ruto has received many gifts from Kenyans across the country. After the Mashujaa day celebration on October 20, 2022, he was gifted a 1,500-kilogram bull by a farmer in Trans Nzoia county.
