Ruto thrills fans with stadium bus lap and penalty goal at Gusii Stadium

President William Ruto at Gusii Stadium on Sunday /SCREENGRAB

President William Ruto on Sunday turned a routine sports handover ceremony into a lively spectacle at Gusii Stadium after taking the wheel of Shabana FC’s new team bus to cheers from fans, before stepping onto the pitch to score a penalty in a moment that had the crowd likening him to football star.

Moments after handing over the red, balloon-decorated bus to the FKF Premier League side, the President climbed into the driver’s seat, igniting excitement in the packed stands.

The bus, emblazoned with the club’s name and polished in bright red, slowly rolled onto the pitch as the crowd rose in anticipation.

What followed was an unexpected lap around the stadium that quickly became the highlight of the day.

As the engine roared to life, Ruto steered the bus carefully along the edge of the pitch, as fans waved and cheered who erupted in chants and applause.

A group of men ran alongside the moving vehicle, keeping pace as it circled the stadium, with some appearing to be part of his security detail while others joined in the spontaneous excitement.

The atmosphere was festive, almost carnival-like, as supporters stretched their arms, phones raised high to capture the moment.

The balloons tied to the front of the bus fluttered in the wind, adding to the celebratory mood as the vehicle completed its slow lap under tight escort.

The President’s brief stint behind the wheel offered a lighter, more personal moment in an otherwise official event, drawing laughter and admiration from the crowd.

Standing over the ball, he bent slightly, hands resting on his knees in a pose reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark stance. He paused, seemingly calculating his move, before stepping back to create space.

With the stadium holding its breath, Ruto made his run, striking the ball with force towards the goal. Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who had taken position as goalkeeper, lunged in an attempt to stop the shot, but the ball sailed past him into the net.

The stadium erupted.

Fans leapt to their feet, cheering wildly as the President celebrated the goal, the moment adding to the day’s energetic display of sport and showmanship.

The scenes played out against the backdrop of a broader government push to invest in sports infrastructure, including the Sh27 million bus handed to Shabana FC and the planned upgrade and expansion of Gusii Stadium.

Ruto is currently on a tour of the Gusii region, where he is expected to launch and inspect development projects while engaging local leaders and residents.

But on this particular afternoon, it was the image of the President driving a team bus and scoring from the spot that lingered — a blend of politics, sport and theatre that left the crowd entertained long after the event ended.