Editor's Review

"Obama agreed and he will come here next year," President Ruto.

President William Ruto has disclosed that when he met with former U.S. President Barack Obama during his historic state visit in the U.S., he had only one request.

Speaking on Thursday, June 13, during the launch of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association Strategic Plan in Nairobi, the Head of State noted that he asked the former U.S. president for aid in setting up a leadership school at the University of Nairobi.

President Ruto intimated that he was an alumni of the University of Nairobi, as was Obama's father, asking the former Head of State for help in setting up a school in the fashion of the Kennedy School of Leadership School at Harvard University. 

The President said that Obama had agreed to visit Kenya for the same in 2025, adding that the school will be named Barack Obama School of Leadership.

"When I was in America I asked for an appointment with President (Rtd) Barack Obama. And I was just asking him for one thing. I am an alumni of Nairobi University. I told Obama that his father was an alumni of Nairobi University.

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"I requested him to assist us set up a school in the fashion of Kennedy School of Leadership School in Harvard. But this time to be a school of leadership in Nairobi University and I asked him we call it Barack Obama School of Leadership in Nairobi University. Obama agreed and he will come here next year," President Ruto remarked.

President William Ruto presides over the launch of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association Strategic Plan in Nairobi.

He further maintained that the former U.S. leader had promised to mobilize support for a sustainable school of leadership

Meanwhile, the Head of State urged young parliamentarians to learn more about leadership so that they can be better leaders in the future.

"Leadership is serious and we want you to be better than us. Go read, go learn about leadership so that we can have better leaders tomorrow. Those of you who are younger, you can go to school," President Ruto stated.

During the launch, he was joined by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula, Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Chairman of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, Gitonga Mukunji, who is also the MP for Manyatta, among other leaders.