NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct, 18 – What started off as a comedic trend across Kenya’s social media platforms, dominating discussions for weeks, ended up being what many now say is the opportunity of a lifetime.
When Ivy Chelimo branded Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua the moniker ‘Riggy G’, its intentions were pure, generate laughter amongst those that interact with her on social media while at the same time, create a name that would make the DP alluring and ‘accessible to Kenya’s millions of youth.
Never in her mind, however, did she ever think that ‘melodious’ branding concept would see her granted an audience with the country’s second in command.
A graduate of the Catholic University with a Law Degree, Chelimo was on Monday, October, 17,2022 granted audience with the DP in what now seems to be a life-changing encounter for her.
She says that she came up with the monicker (Riggy G) during the deputy presidential debates back in July,19,2022.
“I wanted the younger population to connect with what was going on during the debates. I wanted them to be engaged and participate in the discourse and to not be detached from the goings-on of the day,” said Chelimo.
Chemise who was further given a job at the deputy president’s office called on the youth to be proactive and chase their dreams.
“Thank you Mr. DP for the job you offer me this morning…he is very passionate about the youth taking up places in this government. He said that until when will we tell youth you are leaders of tomorrow yet they are not giving us spaces to take up in government. I assure you that he has protocols in place to make sure that the youth take up opportunities and places,”
“Don’t sit down and expect opportunities to come to you, run after activities as the youth because there is so much in this government for us to do,” she said.
She became a household name after netizens on social media identified her as the ‘creator’ of the name saying that she needed to get the credit she deserves.
Gachagua who heaped praise on the young lawyer said that youth are an integral part of his government and they will get the much-needed support they require to build their careers and lives.
“Our young people are very resourceful, this young girl saw me during the debates, she saw I was speaking well…she saw my name was tough and decided to look for a name that was friendly to the youth,” said DP Gachagua.
In previous interviews, Gachagua said that he found the name melodious and inventive noting that it helped him reach millions of youth across Kenya.
Chelimo has previously worked as a lifestyle content creator developing dynamic content on her social media pages.
In a previous interview said that she harbours the idea of running for office in 2027 either as a member of county assembly or a senator.
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