Baby steals the show as she playfully tugs Ruto’s ears in Malindi

President William Ruto shared a light-hearted moment with residents after a baby playfully tugged at his ears while he was carrying her in Malindi.

The incident occurred as the President interacted with a Nyota Fund beneficiary.

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.

After the brief exchange, Ruto handed the baby back to her mother, thanked the family and proceeded with the event.

Earlier on Thursday, President Ruto presided over the disbursement of Sh126 million in Nyota Business Start-Up Capital to 5,040 young entrepreneurs from Lamu, Kilifi and Tana River counties during an event held in Malindi.

Ruto said the government is set to roll out the second pillar of the Nyota programme, the On-the-Job Experience initiative, targeting 90,000 young people.

“Under this pillar, youth will be attached to master craftsmen for six months and receive a monthly stipend of Sh6,000. The government will fully cover the cost of training, assessment and certification,” he said.

“We urge young people across the country to apply for these opportunities to strengthen their employability through practical skills and hands-on experience.”

To register, applicants are required to dial *254# and select the On-the-Job Experience option under the Nyota project.

President Ruto has stepped up development-focused engagements at the Coast, particularly in the blue economy, port infrastructure, fisheries and mining sectors, which government officials say are central to job creation and regional growth.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive development that leaves no one behind.

To strengthen the blue economy, the President said the government has provided young people with more than 100 boats and disbursed Sh983 million to 278 groups in Kilifi County.

“We are transforming Kilifi County through programmes and policies that are changing the lives of the people. In total, Sh21 billion has been invested in the construction of more than 8,000 affordable housing units, 12 modern markets, and hostels that will accommodate 4,300 college and university students in the county,” Ruto said.

The President later laid the foundation stone for the 1,080-unit Mtwapa Mini-City Affordable Housing Project in Kilifi County.