President William Ruto shakes hands with a Friends Church youth leader after he requested an opportunity to greet him during a meeting with Friends Church (Quakers) leaders and faithful at State House, Nairobi, on August 3 /SCREENGRABLaughter filled the hall at State House on Monday after a young Friends Church leader ended his speech with an unusual request to President William Ruto.
"You know, I'm a village boy," Nicholas Bunere, the youth leader said, pausing briefly as smiles spread across the audience. "This is the first time I'm coming to State House."
The room was already attentive, but what followed caught almost everyone by surprise.
"I've seen on TV people running towards the President," Bunere continued. "This one is an organised meeting."
Then came the request that sent the audience into laughter.
"As I leave here, let your security allow me greet you for God to bless you."
President Ruto burst into a broad smile as the hall erupted in laughter, with many of those in attendance amused by the young man's honesty and confidence.
The youth leader then placed the microphone back on the stand, he turned and confidently walked towards the President.
Ruto immediately rose from his seat, took a few steps forward and stretched out his hand before the young man could reach Bunere.
The two shared a warm handshake, exchanged a few words and smiled throughout the brief interaction.
Bunere then greeted Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Friends Church National Presiding Clerk Stephen Magwili and other leaders seated in the front row before quietly returning to his seat as the meeting continued.
Moments earlier, the youth representative had thanked President Ruto for hosting members of the Friends Church (Quakers) at State House, Nairobi, saying the invitation demonstrated humility and respect for the church.
He praised the government's efforts to improve employment, education, healthcare and infrastructure, while urging the President to create more opportunities for young people.
"We appreciate the efforts you are putting in to ensure that the young people of this nation get employment, get better education, get good health care and are able to use better roads," Bunere said.
"Our prayer will be that more job opportunities shall be created for young people so that they shall have something to put on the table."
He also told the President that millions of young people within the Friends Church and across the country continued praying for him and supporting his leadership.
The meeting brought together hundreds of Friends Church faithfuls, religious leaders and political leaders from across the country for prayers and fellowship at State House.
The Friends Church, commonly known as the Quakers, is one of Kenya's largest Christian denominations, with a strong presence in Western Kenya and an extensive network of schools, hospitals and other community institutions.
