PS Charles Hinga: How Ruto & Online Trolls Pushed Me to Shed 35 Kgs in 1 Year

Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has shared the candid motivation behind his dramatic physical transformation.

 Speaking at the Alliance High School centenary celebrations on 1 March 2026, Hinga revealed that his journey from 121kg to 86kg was sparked by a mix of presidential intervention and social media pressure.

The Presidential Challenge

Standing before an audience that included President William Ruto, Hinga recalled a private conversation from exactly one year ago. He noted that while the President did not doubt his professional capacity, he expressed serious concern about his physical health.

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"You looked at me and you said, 'Iko shida kidogo lazima tufix' (There is a small problem we must fix). You said that weight is too much," Hinga narrated to the laughing crowd.

Hinga admitted he initially thought the President was joking. However, Ruto insisted that the Principal Secretary needed to reduce his weight for his own well-being.

Battling the "Unfat" Trolls

Beyond the President's advice, Hinga faced a different kind of pressure from the Kenyan public. As a high-profile official often involved in heated online debates regarding housing policies, he became a target for personal attacks.

He explained that when his critics on social media ran out of logical arguments to counter his points, they often resorted to body shaming.

"When these Kenyans, we were fighting online, if I gave them some nice points and they had no comeback, they used to tell me 'unfat'," he recalled.

A Milestone Transformation

Determined to prove his doubters wrong and honour the President's challenge, Hinga embarked on a rigorous health journey. The results were evident as he stood on the podium at Alliance High School, looking significantly leaner.

“Your Excellency, one year ago, I was 121 kgs... but today, I’m delighted that I’m 35 kgs lighter,” he added.

The President, seen laughing and clapping during the speech, appeared satisfied with the results of his "fix-it" order. Hinga concluded by telling those who doubt the President’s ability to achieve his goals that they should not take his word for granted.