'I wanted Ksh.400K,' Woman who interrupted President Ruto at Nyeri burial speaks

A woman who interrupted President William Ruto's speech in Nyeri on Tuesday says she wanted Ksh.400,000 so she can send her 37-year-old son to the US to be a driver.

The woman, identified as Lucy Wangui, rushed to the front as President Ruto was speaking yelling that she desperately needed to see him and his wife, First Lady Rachel Ruto as she was at her wit's end and had even contemplated suicide.

“Nataka kukuona, niko mwisho, nataka kuona Mama wa Taifa, nisaidieni, nataka kukufa…” she said. (Help me, I want to die)

The president, who was attending the burial of Jack Reriani, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's brother, calmly managed the situation as the woman, who was screaming and prostrating brought proceedings to a halt.

“Keti tu chini ntakuona baadaye…Mama Rachel yuko hapa atakuona…” said Dr Ruto as he watched the drama unfold. (Just sit down, we'll see you later, Mama Rachel is here, she will see you.)

This forced the First Lady to rush to her as security managed to drag her outside the tent and the President continued with his speech.

Later, Wangui, clad in yellow, explained the reason for her dramatic action saying she wanted help from the head of state.

“I came to seek help from President Ruto as my son wants to go abroad. I was requesting him to help me with Ksh.400,000 so that he can leave” she said.

“My son is a tout at the 2NK Nyeri stage and has three kids; two in secondary and one in primary (school). Due to financial constraints, they are constantly being sent home for school fees” she added.

The woman further expressed her life frustrations and having lost hope in life because she and her son, identified as John Kairo Gichuhi, cannot make ends meet from what they earn.

“I came to seek help as he is my last resort. I was so frustrated to the point of attempting suicide.”

“I am employed at Chaka and I earn Ksh.10,000. If I divide the money with them, it can barely sustain our needs. That is when I decided to seek the President’s help for my son to go abroad so that he can help sustain us.”

The woman has high hopes for her son and notes that his travelling abroad would make life more comfortable for them.

“My son has been invited abroad by his cousin where he can work odd jobs such as driving as he was promised a salary of Ksh.70,000. The money would enable him to take care of us and educate his children.”

The woman also noted that were he to be granted an opportunity by the government, she would be very grateful.

She told journalists that the President promised to help her and she was waiting.