Presidential baby-sitter: President Ruto embraces age-old political strategy, holding babies

As is the case with all politicians around the world, especially in the West, Ruto is now borrowing heavily from the old political playbook - cosying up to little children and babies in public.

Over the last several weeks, Ruto has been captured in public showing open affection to little children and babies, lifting them up, chatting with them, playing around with them and asking them childlike questions as the crowd roars in charmed approval.

Appearing to be effortlessly at ease with babies is one of the most potent - and effective - political tools and the President seems earnestly keen on exploiting the tactic and branding himself as a baby favourite.

Back in January, a routine government function at the Kabiru-ini ASK Grounds took an unexpectedly tender turn as Ruto found himself performing dual roles: Head of State and temporary babysitter.

The heartwarming scene unfolded during the official launch of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program disbursements when a young mother, identified as one of the thousands of beneficiaries from the Mt. Kenya region, was called to the podium to share her story.

As she struggled to hold her baby and still share a coherent story, Ruto offered to help with the toddler, sending ripples across the mammoth crowd.

And when the short session concluded, and the president attempted to hand the baby back, the infant firmly clung to his arms. 

Realising the child was not ready to let go, the President chuckled and continued with the session, balancing the baby on his hip while addressing the audience.

At some point, he got lost in the sentimentalism of it all, openly admiring the baby, tickling her, holding her up and checking out his watch as the baby stared on and the crowd cheered in reverential approval.

"It seems like I will be given a baby here in Nyeri to take home. And let nobody say something is unclear. I will negotiate with her mother to see if she will allow me go with her," he said, sending the crowd into laughter.

On February 5, the President again shared a light-hearted moment with residents after a baby playfully tugged at his ears while he was carrying her at a Nyota Fund event in Malindi.

As he held the baby and spoke to her mother, the child repeatedly pulled at his ears, drawing laughter from those present.

Reacting to the playful interruption, President Ruto addressed the baby in a jovial exchange with the crowd.

“What is the name of your baby? Why are you pinching my ears? Thank you so much, Fahima, but stop being stubborn to your mother,” the President said, prompting applause and laughter from attendees.

Just days earlier, the President again playfully lifted a tiny tot at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu County, during yet another disbursement of the NYOTA business start-up capital.

As the mother and the crowd ecstatically looked on, Ruto lifted the baby over his head, directly looking up at it with a pleasantly wide smile. 

According to psychotherapist Dr Robi Ludwig, the political act of holding babies is all rooted in power and reflected glory.

"Having your baby held by a politician is having your child held by someone powerful and important, making the baby important by proxy, or touched by greatness," Ludwig says. "And important baby equals important parents. The child and family become part of history, in some way. And in the end, everyone wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves."

Handing babies to politicians says a lot about how we want to see them - as wise, responsible, parental figures. 

It's an act of optimism and trust. Sure, it may be just another photo op on the campaign trail. But maybe, just maybe, holding a baby could nudge aside the cynicism and remind politicians of the very real responsibility they have to future generations.

Almost all US presidential candidates have perfected the art of holding up and kissing babies on the campaign trail, and it is one of the most unavoidable acts of any politician seeking to inherit the Oval Office.

In fact, by 1886, kissing babies was so common it was seen as an “official duty” for candidates on the campaign trail.

According to Alan Lowe, the museum director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, candidates engage in baby-kissing because it can help them connect with the voters.

He said: “The campaign trail can be a rough-and-tumble place, and this shows a softer, gentler side of candidates. Voters want to elect someone who is a decent person, and this makes them more relatable.”

By endearing himself to babies, Ruto hopes to tap into the power of parental sensitivity while at the same time winning over the masses by introducing a more delicate, compassionate and thoughtful side - a more humane side away from the rough craziness of the political world. 

Also, holding babies could be Ruto's magic spell at winning the all-too-crucial women's vote, aware that appealing to men on the campaign trail takes noisy bravado and raw grit but appealing to women requires expert handling, emotional balance and soft appeal. 

While it is not yet clear the tactic may work, the response from the crowds as Ruto cradles a baby is perhaps enough proof that Kenyans may start viewing the President more positively - and not like the power-obsessed autocrat only out to fleece his people, kill the Gen Z and run the country to ruins