President William Ruto sparked laughter at State House, Nairobi, after singling out Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah, who is seeking to become the next Member of Parliament for Lang'ata Constituency.
The light moment occurred on Friday, November 13, when Ruto hosted Nairobi leaders and delegates affiliated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The meeting formed part of engagements with leaders from the broad-based government.
While acknowledging leaders who have expressed interest in various elective seats ahead of the 2027 General Election, the President specifically recognised Atellah and his ambitions for the Lang'ata parliamentary seat.
"Tuko na daktari Atellah, yule wa KMPDU, mtu noma sana huyu mtu," Ruto remarked, drawing laughter from those attending the meeting.
The President then asked the audience to applaud the union boss, prompting another round of applause as Atellah received the recognition.
The remarks came as the President acknowledged several political figures seeking to contest different positions in Nairobi County, with Atellah among those eyeing parliamentary representation.
The KMPDU secretary general announced his intention to contest the Lang'ata parliamentary seat in September, setting his sights on succeeding the incumbent, Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o.
Atellah has said his campaign will prioritise healthcare, education and greater public participation in determining development priorities within the constituency.
Speaking during a meeting with Lang'ata residents, he argued that healthcare was the foundation of development and that communities needed to have a say in projects undertaken in their areas.
He also pointed to the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), saying even well-designed development programmes could fail if residents were excluded from decision-making.
"You could have a good government, you can have good plans for the NG-CDF, but if you do not get the people to be involved in the plans, it may not achieve the desired goals," Atellah said.
"That is why I am emphasising a people-driven agenda. We must give the people of Lang'ata the chance to decide; they must pick their priorities," he added.
Atellah is seeking the seat on an ODM ticket, placing him among the party's potential candidates as political activity gathers pace ahead of the 2027 elections.
The incumbent, Jalang'o, has meanwhile expressed interest in contesting the Nairobi senatorial seat, potentially opening up the Lang'ata parliamentary contest.
Ruto's remarks at State House offered a light-hearted moment during the gathering, as political leaders from the two parties shared a platform while positioning themselves for the next general election.
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