The incident occurred during the NYOTA Capital Fund disbursement ceremony, a high-profile youth empowerment program presided over by the President and attended by several county leaders.
What Sparked the Awkward Interruption?
As the event progressed, President Ruto invited Governor Sakaja to address the crowd — with clear instructions.
He asked the Nairobi Governor to focus strictly on how Nairobi County plans to support youths through the NYOTA funds.
However, things quickly took an unexpected turn.
Instead of diving straight into Nairobi’s youth agenda, Sakaja began acknowledging governors present and went a step further — attempting to invite Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to speak.
“Kwanza niwaeleze wale Governor tuko nao… nitampatia Mheshimiwa Lenku aseme kitu,”
Sakaja said while gesturing toward Ole Lenku.
Ruto Steps In — Instantly
President Ruto, who was still standing at the podium, cut him off immediately.
With visible firmness, the Head of State raised his arms and issued a sharp directive:
“Bwana, wewe sema yako ya Nairobi.”
The message was clear — this was not the time for other governors to speak.
The interruption drew murmurs from the crowd and instantly shifted the mood of the event.
Sakaja Complies, Crowd Reacts
Following the President’s intervention, Sakaja abandoned the introductions and redirected his speech to Nairobi County matters, as instructed.
While the event continued smoothly afterward, the brief exchange has since sparked intense debate online, with Kenyans weighing in on leadership dynamics, protocol, and political authority.
Some praised Ruto for maintaining focus and discipline, while others felt the moment exposed growing tension between top leaders in public settings.
A video clip capturing the exact moment of the interruption is now circulating widely on social media, fueling discussion and speculation.
