Octopizzo condemns Ruto’s govt over exploitation of Kenyans abroad
By Kiprono Keileb, November 16, 2025Kenyan rapper Octopizzo has strongly criticised the government over the plight of Kenyans working abroad, calling the situation a profound national failure.
In a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, November 16, 2025, the musician, known for his activism and community engagement, said the government has quietly allowed the export of Kenyan labour under conditions that he described as modern-day slavery.
“For too long, this government has stood by and at times quietly approved the exporting of our own people as though Kenyan lives were mere economic commodities. As the President dismisses us as ‘fools’ and ‘average thinkers,’ our brothers and sisters are suffering abroad, trapped in conditions that amount to modern-day slavery. Some are tortured. Some return shattered. Some never return at all,” Octopizzo said.
Not a sign of development
The artist argued that exporting Kenyan labour is not a sign of development but a failure to create opportunities at home. He lamented that instead of investing in youth, industries, farms, and innovators, the government has chosen the “easy path” of sending citizens abroad in search of livelihoods.
“This is not development. This is a profound national failure. A country that exports desperation instead of opportunity has strayed from its moral and constitutional duty,” he added.
Octopizzo also called for a shift in national priorities, urging Kenya to export its creativity and talent rather than cheap labour.
“Kenya can once again export coffee, technology, art, culture, and human brilliance, not #cheaplabor. We cannot celebrate the flag only during football matches and forget the values it represents every other day,” he said.
For the rapper, true patriotism is rooted in protecting the dignity of every Kenyan. He emphasised that dignity is not a privilege but a right. “True patriotism means defending the dignity of every Kenyan. We must wake up from political manipulation,” the statement reads
Through his statement, Octopizzo called on the public to wake up from political manipulation,” and demand that the government prioritise policies that create opportunities and safeguard the well-being of Kenyans both at home and abroad.