During the National Tree Planting Holiday, President William Ruto attracted mixed reactions after he was pictured walking alongside a boy who was barefooted.
The little boy was carrying his shoes in his hands while leading Ruto and other top government officers to where they going to plant trees.
Kenyans were left wondering why did Ruto not offer anything to the young man who portrayed determination and courage while supporting his tree-planting initiative.
However, after the concerns calmed down, the Head of State hosted the young boy at the State House on Tuesday, November 28.
The boy is called Master Mutinda, a Grade One pupil at Kiambani Primary School in Makueni county.
During his State House visit, Ruto allowed him to plant a tree next to where King Charles and Queen Camilla planted during their visit to the country.
Mutinda later briefed Ruto on the progress of the trees he planted in Makueni during the tree planting holiday.
After the meeting, Ruto challenged other children to continue with the tree planting exercise taking advantage of the ongoing rainfall in the country.
“He gave me a report on our trees; they are doing well since it is wet and they don’t need to water them. But he goes over to have a look every evening,” Ruto wrote.
“I’m very proud of Mutinda and his young friends and feel encouraged by the commitment shown by our country’s young people to make Kenya a green country for the benefit of present and future generations. They may be young and tiny, but they are a brave and indomitable Green Army. I encourage our young people to make time during the school holidays to plant trees, because there is enough rain,” the Head of State added.
