Samuel Njau: Kibaki’s lookalike urges Ruto to bring chapatis on Mt Kenya visit
A man by the name of Samuel Njau, who went viral during the 2022 general elections for his close resemblance to former President Mwai Kibaki, has given William Ruto a set of conditions ahead of his highly anticipated Mt. Kenya tour.
In a video shared by a local TV channel on Friday, March 28, 2025, the Kibaki doppelgänger issued two conditions, one being that President William Ruto ensure he builds them a toilet in their Kirigiti market centre, while the other was that he bring them chapatis.
In his words, Ruto’s chapati promise had gone so viral that he should ensure he brings them the beloved flatbread and also guarantee that each person who shows up to receive him gets at least no fewer than three chapatis.
“And now, another thing: since I hear the president is visiting Mt. Kenya, make sure you bring us chapatis and that each person gets at least three. As for the soda, I will personally provide those, but you must bring us the chapatis.”
No beef
Njau, who was speaking in a voice similar to that of Kibaki, then made it clear he had no beef with the Head of State and debunked any claims that he had a qualm with the President touring Mt. Kenya.
He stated that he was actually anxiously waiting for the President to grace them with his presence and also asked him to bring along his Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, as they had not seen him in some while.
Njau also added that his hope was that Ruto would not skip Kiambu County, particularly Kirigiti, as he had toured the region in 2022 when he was asking them to vote for him.
“Hi President Ruto, How are you? There are rumors that you will be visiting Mt. Kenya, and we are all happy and anxious to meet you again. I am here at Kirigiti, where you did your last campaign, and we are anxiously waiting for you. But make sure you bring Kindiki along so we can see him as it has been a long time.”
Developments
However, despite hailing the President, Njau was quick to share that the area, despite having supported the President fervently during his campaign, still lacked key developments, including crucial social amenities.
He listed that the Kirigiti area, in particular, was reeling from the lack of a public toilet and told the President that once he visits, he should consider building them one, as some women who work nearby are forced to relieve themselves behind shops, which is bad for the environment.
Njau also lamented that the area lacked a market where people could transact business and asked the president to add that to his list of projects to be undertaken when he tours the area.
“How are you, President? We are happy. Here I am at Kirigiti. We need a public toilet so badly because we are relieving ourselves behind shops, and we also need you, Mr. President, to build a market in this area for our women. That will be good for us. We don’t have many things, but we need those. That will be ok,” he shared.
Ruto’s Mt Kenya tour
Njau’s remarks come as counties from the Mt. Kenya region prepare to roll out the red carpet for the president, who has expressed his intention to commence his development trip of the region on Monday, March 31, 2025.
The tour will be his first official one since the dramatic impeachment of his former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who has long styled himself as the region’s political kingpin.
Preparations have been in high gear, and his deputy, Kithure Kindiki, on Sunday, February 28, 2025, met grassroots leaders from his home county of Tharaka Nithi to strategise on ensuring that the president is accorded a dignified welcome when he starts his visit.
During the gathering—which Kindiki insisted was primarily focused on assessing development projects—he also took the opportunity to set the stage for Ruto’s visit, imploring locals not to follow the example of communities that have recently heckled the head of state.
According to Kindiki, if the county continues to show unwavering support for the president during this politically sensitive period, it will reap significant developmental rewards, as he [Kindiki] would personally champion their interests before Ruto.
“Show me by a show of hands those who are sending me to speak to the President. Before he arrives, we have work to do. Some claimed I dislike coming home—what will they say now? Because I will be here almost every other week,” he declared.
Ruto’s tour of the area comes hot on the heels of his Nairobi region tour, where he drew massive crowds and lavished residents with grand promises—both on what he has achieved and what he plans to deliver.
However, his Mt Kenya visit is clouded with uncertainty, as his recent trip to neighbouring Isiolo County ended in chaos, with locals booing him off the stage, forcing him to cut his speech short and make a swift exit.
Moreover, since Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, the Mt. Kenya region has been deeply divided, with a significant faction that previously backed Ruto solely due to Gachagua now shifting its allegiance elsewhere.
