KISII COUNTY: August 12, 2024, will forever be etched in the memory of Victor Obae Opara, a humble resident of Nyang’eni village in Kisii County. What began as an ordinary day for the small business owner took an extraordinary turn when he received news that President William Ruto would be visiting his home.

When the Kisii County Commissioner first informed Mr. Opara that his house had been chosen for the commissioning of rural electricity by none other than the President himself, he could hardly believe it. “I thought it was just a joke,” he admitted, still in disbelief.

But reality set in when the big day arrived, and Mr. Opara found himself standing in his compound, face to face with President Ruto, accompanied by the local Member of Parliament for Nyaribari Chache, Zaheer Janda. “It was surreal. I saw him, right here, in my own yard. That’s when it hit me— the President was actually at my home,” Mr. Opara shared with Kondele News, still amazed by the experience.

Describing President Ruto as a jovial and warm person, Mr. Opara recalled their brief exchange with a smile. “He called me ‘Bwana Obae, namna gani?’ It was like a dream, seeing in person the man I’ve only ever seen on TV and in newspapers,” he recounted, clearly still savoring the memory.

The highlight of the visit was when the President entered Mr. Opara’s modest home to switch on the newly installed lights.

Mr. Opara confessed that he initially felt a bit self-conscious about his humble abode. “At first, I thought my house was too simple to host someone as important as the President. But he congratulated me on my achievements and even gave me advice on raising my children and working hard so they can get a better education,” he explained, visibly touched by the President’s kindness.

When asked if the President left any special gifts or tokens behind, Mr. Opara chuckled and chose to remain coy. “Let’s just say, in Kiswahili, we say ‘Mgeni njoo mwenyeji apone’—when a guest comes, the host feels relieved. You can read between the lines,” he said with a knowing smile.

The visit didn’t just leave an impact on Mr. Opara—it also made waves on social media. President Ruto later posted about the memorable event on his Facebook account, sharing the moment with the nation and further immortalizing the day in Mr. Opara’s life.