Update: Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has offered to sponsor the pupil seen in a viral photo holding an umbrella for him.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 17, Machogu said that the boy approached him during the function in Murang’a and opened up about his family’s background.
“That little boy in the photo doing rounds holding an umbrella for me insisted on being by my side. Afterwards, he asked for my assistance which I extended to him. He comes from a needy background,” Machogu said.
Kenyans had called out Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu after a photo featuring a schoolboy holding an umbrella for him during an official function went viral.
The function took place in Murang’a on Sunday where the Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu joined other leaders during the Murang’a Child Bursaries awarding ceremony held at Mumbi stadium.
Machogu was awarding bursaries to Murang’a students including KCPE 2023 Top performers in the region, students living with disabilities and Orphans.
But the photo has since become the talk of the own, sparking a wave of reactions from citizens across the country.
This moment, captured by onlookers and shared widely on social media, soon went viral, prompting a mix of admiration and concern among Kenyan netizens.
Some commended the student’s actions, applauding him for embodying values of responsibility and respect for elders.
A major section, however, expressed concern over the appropriateness of a young child taking on such a role, questioning whether it was a manifestation of a larger societal issue.
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Kenyans’ Positive Criticisms
A small percentage praised the young pupil for their sense of duty and commitment, seeing the act as a symbol of respect for authority figures.
“I think people misjudged CS Ezekiel Machogu. This kid came forward and volunteered to shield him from the hot sun. Let us not be too quick to judge. In fact, he was only shielding the CS from scorching sun when not even bodyguards saw it necessary,” Abuga Makori posted on X.
“We always dwell on the negative… I would be forever proud as an 8-year-old in that pic. I would look at the man ahead of me and ask God to help me get there someday,” a user by the name Edwardo commented.
Another user, Felix M.T says “We have done many things than this, this may be the turning point in the life of the boy. CBC prepares children for so many opportunities in life don’t be surprised to find later in life this is a bodyguard. It’s not always what the eye sees.”
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Condemnations
But many other Kenyans called for a broader discussion on age-appropriate responsibilities and the potential implications of placing young children in situations that may be perceived as beyond their capacity expressing outrage and condemnation against the CS.
“The whole GoK Ministry of Education and those adults in the meeting couldn’t figure out how to shield this fellow from the sun – from sunscreen lotion, to buying the minister a cap to getting an adult to carry the umbrella – they opted for a short, 8-year-old child for the job,” Prof Alfred Omenya Lamented.
Netizens Continue Hitting on the CS
“A whole education minister mistreating a 10-year-old boy by forcing him to hold an umbrella behind him as gives his two hours speech! Why would education CS Prof Ezekiel Machogu instruct a child to hold an umbrella for him, and it’s not raining, and there is no sun? This is wrong,” Alinur Mohammed lamented on X.
James Ochola criticized the action stating,” Sums up the mentality of this KK government and Cabinet. A picture worth a thousand words.”
Another user who goes by the name Thomas Oyaro says,” It shows social classes of Kenyans. Hustlers’ vs Dynasty. Compare the two shoes. It is wrong to use kids in that manner.”
However, image of the small figure diligently holding the umbrella above CS Machogu’s head resonates with a sentiment of humility and service, contrasting sharply with the often-turbulent discourse surrounding government officials.
