A young woman caused a scene on Saturday when she marched through a thick crowd to grab
Deputy President William Ruto's attention.
He had been reading his speech during a tour of Baringo when
Michelle Chepkoech approached, two children in her arms, shouting "Mheshimiwa
(Your Excellency)
Ruto".
The DP's security agents tried to block Chepkoech but she got louder, forcing Ruto to stop.
He asked the officers to let the woman near him and then told her to wait at the podium for him to finish his address.
Ruto later asked the woman to see him at his office in Nairobi before heading to his helicopter.
Chepkoech, who has five children, told reporters that poverty pushed her to the wall.
She said she was from Sesya in Baringo Central sub-county but was living in Eldama-Ravine town where she was jobless.
"I have told so many people, including leaders, about my problem but they have not helped me. I just wanted the DP to buy me and my children a small piece of land," she said.
Ruto went to the county to launch
Eldama-Ravine Technical Institute, Makutano-Ravine road and Skyline Sacco Plaza, as well as preside over a fundraising for needy students in
Elama Ravine.
He was with Jubilee Party leaders including
Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis,
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen,
Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet, Mogotio MP Daniel Tuitoek, Kimani IIchung'wa of Kikuyu, and Oscar Sudi of Kapseret.
The DP was crowned an elder by the Tugen Council and promised full support for the presidency come 2022.