A video of senior Kenyan government officials casually munching snacks during President William Ruto’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has gone viral, sparking both amusement and criticism among Kenyans online.
The delegation included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Health CS Aden Duale, Lands CS Alice Wahome, Mining CS Hassan Joho, and ICT’s William Kabogo. In the widely circulated footage, the leaders were seen cracking what appeared to be peanuts and popping them into their mouths while Ruto addressed the assembly, where Africa’s long-standing push for a permanent seat at the high-level forum was under discussion.
Reactions on social media were divided. Some Kenyans found humor in the moment, describing it as “authentic” and “poetic.” One user joked, “Nothing screams ‘Kenya means business’ like Ruto’s squad turning a global podium into a snack table.” Others, however, were less forgiving, criticizing the officials for embarrassing the country on an international stage.
This incident revived memories of a 2022 statement by President Ruto, who had emphasized the need for etiquette training among government officials. At the time, he called on leaders particularly within his Kenya Kwanza coalition to learn proper dining civility and public conduct. “We are going to have a session to show you a bit of etiquette,” Ruto said back then, noting that some leaders even struggled with basic table manners.
For critics, the UNGA snack moment symbolized a lack of seriousness and professionalism at a critical global platform. For others, it was simply a humanizing glimpse into Kenya’s leadership one that resonated more with everyday citizens than diplomatic formality.
Whether seen as light-hearted or unbecoming, the clip underscores the delicate balance leaders must maintain between authenticity and decorum, especially when representing Kenya on the world stage.
