Mum Of Viral Nandi Girl Speaks, Discloses Daughter Sneaked Away To Go Admire Graduands

• Naomi Jepchirchir, a Grade Two girl, went viral after being captured admiring graduands at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, graduation
• Naomi's mother, Milkah Chepchumba, explained that they attended the graduation as spectators despite having no family member graduating
• Milkah discovered Naomi's newfound fame when a doctor informed her at the hospital. The doctor advised her to keep her phone on as many people were trying to reach her

The mother of the Nandi girl who recently went viral after admiring graduands at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, has disclosed how the heartwarming moment happened.

The Grade Two girl, Naomi Jepchirchir, was captured in a now-viral photo admiring graduands at the Nandi-based university's graduation, which President William Ruto graced.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the girl's mum, Milkah Chepchumba, said she and her children attended the Sunday graduation as spectators as no family member was graduating.

She did not want her children to miss out on one of their village's biggest events.

"However, after arrival, she started pestering me a lot, asking if she would go and see the graduands and President William Ruto who was present. I objected several times and told her not to leave my sight. She even asked me to show her Ruto, and I pointed her in his direction so she could finally see him," she narrated, adding that the little girl had even asked for permission to say hi to the president.

How Naomi went to admire graduands

Milkah said her bold young daughter sneaked to the graduation pavilion while conversing with another woman who had asked her to move over and grant her some space.

"The person who was standing next to me gestured to me and told me to give them some space as I was carrying my breastfeeding child. As I was trying to move as asked, Naomi went to the graduation pavilion without my knowledge," she recounted.

After the conversation, she looked around and noticed her daughter had disappeared. She tried asking around if anyone had spotted the girl.

"I tried looking around for her as I was getting worried. However, moments later, someone brought her back to me and told me she had gone all the way to the front," Milka said.

Unbeknownst to her, the little girl's photo had been taken and was about to warm the hearts of thousands online.

"I actually learnt that my daughter is a social media sensation recently when I took my baby to the hospital. The doctor informed me that Naomi is trending because she was spotted admiring graduands," she said.

"The doctor advised me to have my phone on because many were looking for me. I had borrowed this phone and so I asked the owner to allow me to have it for some days. I know many have pledged to help me and my girl so I am still waiting for their calls," she added.

Milka said her little daughter envisions graduating one day.

"That day she told me that she wants to one day wear such a graduation gown and the cap and achieve her dreams," the dotting mother said.

Well-wishers promise to help Naomi

So far, many Kenyans of goodwill have promised to help the young girl.

Journalist Lemiso Sato, who also shared her story on social media, confirmed that she had been traced and her school uniform had been sorted.

Hon. Julius Keter, the Majority chief whip at the Nandi County Assembly, was among those who expressed a desire to help Naomi.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke