Meet the President’s flower girl

By James Wanzala

Kenya: At only eight years of age, Essence Angel Mudibo, a Standard Three pupil at New Light Junior Academy, is already brushing shoulders with the high and mighty in the land thanks to her brilliance and courage. So how has she managed this feat?

Simple, Essence has been presenting flowers to dignitaries who include senior government officials and the head of state. It all began February this year during the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway at Mombasa while her father, former TV news reporter Norman Mudibo, was in the launch preparation committee.

 “I was tasked with liaison and logistic issues and while going through the checklist, they asked for a brave kid between eight and nine years old and I said I have Essence who fits the bill. That is how she got her big break,” says Norman.

Essence was not alone in the honour. Two of her friends, Angel and Princess, joined her and presented bouquets to First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto while she presented one to the President.  From that day on, Essence became a regular at presenting flowers to dignitaries. She even had a chance to present former president Daniel arap Moi with a bouquet during the recent opening of Imara Daima Railway station.

“I feel proud in my role that allows me to interact with public figures. It is a great honour that while most kids and adults only get to see them on TV, I get meet them in person, says Essence who also appeared in a Supa Loaf bread advert last year. “I thank my father for enabling me participate in flower presentations and above all God for making me brave,” added Essence whose role model is her mother Anne Nyambura because of her keen fashion sense.

Her father Norman says he is so proud of her and sees a star in the making. He says his daughter is bright, confident and sociable. Essence’s mother Anne too cannot help but pour accolades on her.

“She is very confident, creative bright and focused in her academic work and I know she is going far.”

Asked if there are any highlights that stand out in her task, Essence recalls the time she, missed presenting a bouquet of flowers to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the opening of Makadara Railway station due to heavy traffic.

 Essence wants to be a pilot because pilots travel to many countries. Her favourite subjects are Christian Religious Education (CRE) and English. She enjoys singing, dancing, writing short poems and also enjoys spending time with her younger brother Eugene Baraka who she says is playful and protects her.

For Essence, the sky is the limit.