Kenyan voter without arms gets over $20,000 support from President Kenyatta

A 21-year-old Kenyan man who made headlines for coming out to vote in the October 26 rerun election even without upper limbs has been rewarded as promised by the President Uhuru Kenyatta.

John Gichuhi Macharia who was born without upper limbs was given a sum of 3 million Kenyan Shillings ($28,943) to assist him in starting a business.

He voted for Kenyatta with his leg and his photograph went viral and caught the attention of the president who sent a delegation to look for him and make the donation, local media reported.

“John has shown remarkable resilience in serving his nation, a great example to our youth to serve their country,” said the Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia who led the team to make the donation.

Macharia who dropped out of school due to his physical challenge and illnesses including asthma expressed gratitude to the president for the gesture.

“This is a dream come true. I did not believe that a young man like me with no arms could be noticed by the most powerful person in Kenya. I sincerely thank him for this gesture and promise to utilise the funds prudently,” he told local news portal Daily Nation.

He promised to use the money wisely by opening a salon, barber shop and a cyber café.

Uhuru Kenyatta won the October 26 repeat election with a total vote of 7.4 million (98% of total votes).