When President William Ruto arrived in Kamagut Primary School, Uasin Gishu County where his basic education started, he quickly spotted his former headteacher, Joseph Ndirangu.

After shouting his name, Dr Ruto and Mr Ndirangu laughed heartily as they hugged and exchanged pleasantries. A video of the duo interacting has been making rounds on social media.

The 83-year-old, who retired in 1996,  describes meeting his pupil who rose through political ranks to become President as ‘thrilling and nostalgic’.

His deceiving looks make him look younger. Unlike men his age, he walks without the aid of a walking stick.

The retiree has since Monday, January 8, been basking in the glory of reconnecting with one of his most achieved students, the holder of the highest office in Kenya.

Seated at his humble abode in Songoliet, off the Eldoret-Nakuru highway in Uasin Gishu County, Ndirangu’s joy is still palpable.

He receives numerous calls, which he says are from peers, friends, and alumni of Kamagut Primary School.

Ndirangu says he had not met his former pupil for 43 years, since Ruto completed his primary school education and proceeded to Wareng’ Secondary School in the then Uasin Gishu District.

“I was thrilled. I had lined up to welcome him to the school. We talked briefly with the President but I don’t remember what we discussed because I was overjoyed. What I remember is that we laughed a lot,” Ndirangu says as an interview kicked off.

Ndirangu, who served as Kamagut Primary School headteacher for three years from 1978 to 1980 says he did not expect Ruto to remember him after four decades.

“My look has changed since then. I am now an old man and a lot has changed. I was surprised that he recognised me in a crowd and mentioned that I was his headteacher in primary school,” says Ndirangu, who was also supervising the construction of a modern house.

In primary school, Ndirangu recalls, Ruto was a charming pupil who actively took part in debates.

Thrilling moment