University student and activist Comrade Jevin Oyoo, who recently made headlines after boldly appealing to President William Ruto to listen to the pleas of Kenyans, has shared details of a rare conversation he had with the Head of State.
Speaking during an interview on NTV’s Fixing the Nation on Monday, August 18, Oyoo described the encounter as a defining moment in his life. He said he was determined not to leave the event without addressing the President, a resolve inspired by his late father’s advice to always present not only personal needs but also the concerns of the wider community.
“I told myself I would not leave without talking to the President. Getting the chance to address him was not easy it took effort. But I knew I had to speak for myself and my peers,” Oyoo recalled.
Despite the heavy security presence, he managed to meet President Ruto “nyuma ya tent,” an interaction he described as historic. “I am the first in my family to shake hands with a President. I don’t see it as an achievement in itself, but I value that I was able to have a conversation with him,” he said.
According to Oyoo, the President took his phone number and later surprised him with a call. Initially, he feared it might be an aide or even intimidation, but to his relief, it was the President himself. During the call, Ruto asked Oyoo what he truly wanted.
“I thought of saying I wanted my father back, which was impossible. So I told him about a community-based programme in Uasin Gishu we run to empower over 50 youths. We struggle with grants, and I asked for support to grow it,” Oyoo said, adding that the President promised to follow up.
Oyoo, who has since embraced the nickname Omba Omba Comrade, emphasized that his activism is about raising youth issues rather than personal gain. “It takes a lot to be an activist. At times, it is thankless. But meeting the President reinforced my belief that young people must speak for their peers, no matter the challenges,” he concluded.
