Students on Uhuru mentorship dream big

President Uhuru Kenyatta interacts with children who participated in the Pupils Reward Scheme mentorship programme at State House in Nairobi last Thursday. [Photo: PSCU]

“I tell you Mr President that some years down the line, I will occupy this residence.”

Those were the words of 14-year-old Brian Toroitich alias Mr President when he introduced himself to President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, last Thursday night.

“You see, Mr President, when I was born, Daniel Moi was the President and my grandfather named me Toroitich. People used to call me Brian Toroitich arap Moi,” Brian paused for effect, forcing President Kenyatta, who was listening attentively, to urge him on.

Brian was now clearly in control. He was articulate and confident of his delivery before his peers and President Kenyatta, who spent hours with a group of students on a mentorship programme, listening to each of their experiences and stories of their background.

“Yes, Brian, go on,” the President encouraged him.

“When President Kibaki took over, they started calling me Brian Toroitich arap Moi Kibaki. And now that they have seen me here...” he paused again, and everyone in the room including the President and his daughter Ngina Kenyatta appeared to be transfixed, silently guessing that he might end with another appendage to his name.

But Brian defied the script. “Now Mr President, my name has become too long and they cannot add Uhuru Kenyatta and they call me Mr President.”

The hall burst into electrifying cheers of encouragement and the pulse of excitement with the promise of the Kenyan youth was palpable.

The Alliance Boys High School student was not the only youth at State House. He was part of a group of 47 students who have participated in the Pupils Reward Scheme, initiated by President Kenyatta, to inspire the youth on leadership and responsibility, and who have been residing at State House for a week.

LIFETIME EXPERIENCE

President Kenyatta allowed all the students to speak in his presence on their experience even though it was not part of the initial plan for all of them to speak.

Lavenda Ochieng from Alliance Girls said it was an experience of a lifetime that has changed how she views life.

“We have got exposure to this country’s wonderful Government and it has shown us that where you come from does not matter. We will be the next great leaders of this country,” she said.

Christine Lekishon from Asumbi Girls said it was her first time in Nairobi and felt delighted she had been booked to stay at State House for a week.

Another girl got the President’s total attention as she told him of how he has inspired her twice.

“A teacher used to tell us how you were once bullied by senior students and when you informed your father who was the President at the time, he told you to learn to fight your own wars. That was very inspiring,” she said.

She added that the President has inspired her again through the PURES programme.

The climax of the VIP sojourn for the group was on Thursday morning when the students were invited and hosted by the President to sit through a full Cabinet meeting.

Other institutions they toured included Parliament, the Judiciary, the Defence headquarters and the National Youth Service headquarters.

They also visited the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government where they were hosted by Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.

President Kenyatta asked the students to inspire their colleagues when they go back to their schools and homes.

At the end of the programme, President Kenyatta presented each of the students with a tablet to use at school and a certificate.