CS Namwamba Offers Job To NYS Officer Who Cleaned His Shoes

The video which went viral the following morning saw the officer squatting and using a piece of cloth to clean his muddy shoes.

CS Namwamba Offers Job To NYS Officer Who Cleaned His Shoes
NYS officer meets Sports CS Ababu Namwamba after cleaning his shoes on November 7, 2022. /YOUTUBE.ABABU NAMWAMBA

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Ababu Namwamba has spoken regarding the actions of a National Youth Service (NYS) officer filmed on Monday, November 7 cleaning his shoes.

The video which went viral the following morning saw the officer squatting and using a piece of cloth to clean his muddy shoes.

The CS was heard requesting NYS Director General Matilda Sakwa to let him give a tip to the officer for the act of kindness.

NYS officer cleaning Sports CS Ababu Namwamba's shoes on November 7, 2022. /YOUTUBE

"And I hope Madam Director General allows a tip," Namwamba posed amidst laughter from other top officials who had accompanied him.

"No! No! We do not allow a tip. It is part of their discipline," NYS DG Sakwa responded to Ababu.

Nonetheless, Ababu thanked the officer for his excellent shoe-shining skills and his act of kindness.

CS Namwamba was at the NYS headquarters in Nairobi, where he officially received the NYS docket, which was transferred from the Ministry of Public Service to the Ministry of Sports.

However, Kenyans criticised the CS online for undermining the officer's status in the NYS.

“Ababu Namwamba stepping into the NYS as the boss he is. This Hustler government of William Ruto and Riggy G will show us wonders, This is uncalled for even if it means you being the boss,” Frank Mtetezi said on Twitter.

"Bottom-up. The less fortunate are now polishing the shoes of the cabinet millionaires in public," another social media user wrote.

However, some Kenyans commended the officer for showing off his skills.

"The young man is showing his skills nothing wrong," Hill Lagat, a Human Resource Consultant, stated.

Namwamba on Tuesday, November 8 invited the officer, Dickson Loyerer, to his office for a cup of tea and promised that his actions will not go unrewarded.

"Dickson Loyerer yesterday graciously volunteered to clean my muddy shoes after a tree planting session at  NYS HQ where he works.

"Today we shared a cup of tea in my office, where he gave me NYS tips on grooming, discipline and skills. I have requested Loyerer to join my staff," he stated, though not disclosing the position he would serve in.

On his part, Loyerer explained that "I looked at your shoes and I saw some dirt. I then decided that I must clean your shoes because when our boss has dirt somewhere, we have to correct it.

"The cleaning of shoes is some of the skills we are taught. Additionally, when our bosses have a wardrobe malfunction, we have to correct it."

Namwamba committed to increasing the number of NYS recruits to 20,000 annually. He also commended the outgoing Public Service CS Margaret Kobia for steering the youth service to its current state.

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