Kenyan President William Ruto hosted a 4-year-old pupil at State House in Nairobi on Monday after the young girl became a social media sensation for expressing her reluctance about returning to school after the holidays.
Tinsley Nduta, a pupil at Lizzie Wanyoike Preparatory School, captured hearts online with a video of her dismay over the end of the school break. However, she had a change of heart following a persuasive phone conversation with President Ruto last week.
On Monday, Nduta visited the president’s official residence accompanied by her mother Agnes Wairimu, father George Ngugi, and sister Maureen Wambeti.
In a statement posted on social media, President Ruto said he “emphasised the critical role of education in shaping young minds and preparing them for productive roles in society.”
The viral video of Nduta’s initial reluctance to return to classes after the holiday resonated widely among students and parents alike. Her candid comments tapped into the bittersweet emotions children often feel as school breaks come to an end.
President Ruto used the opportunity to promote the importance of early childhood education in Kenya. His engagement with the young pupil provided a light-hearted moment but also drove home his administration’s focus on improving access to quality education nationwide.
The State House visit allowed Nduta and her family to meet the Kenyan leader in person after their phone call last week, which helped convince the 4-year-old that going back to school was important.
Ruto has made education a key priority since taking office last year, increasing funding for institutions and initiatives to boost learning outcomes across the country. His interaction with Nduta provided a high-profile platform to reiterate these goals to Kenyan citizens.
