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President William Ruto on Thursday, December 12, 2024, reprimanded a section of leaders and Kenyans whom he accused of perpetuating fake news to sabotage and discredit his administration.

In a hard-hitting speech delivered during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, Ruto lamented that some of those criticising his administration had resolved to spew lies and fake news yet there are facts on his track record so far.

The head of state, while castigating the purveyors of misinformation, disinformation and fake news, wondered what they would say when he finally hands over keys to some of the completed houses under the Affordable Housing programme.

Ruto went on to shame those spreading fake news while questioning what would be their response after learning about the numerous job opportunities created by his administration.

The head of state also argued that inflation had gone down and that the farmers were reaping from their labour.

“When we say that the cost of basic food commodities has come down, it is a fact. When we say that inflation has gone down, it is a fact.

When we say that our farmers are producing more and better, it is a fact, and when we say that Kenyans who have registered for Taifa Care are receiving better services than before, it is a fact. We encourage everyone, including our critics, to engage on the basis of facts and the truth,” Ruto stated.

“If some of us persist in the culture of reckless negativity, for how long will cynics mobilise Kenyans to deny facts that they can touch, feel and see? What will they say in a few weeks’ time when we begin to give keys to the new owners of affordable housing units?

What will they say of the thousands of plumbers, electricians, teachers, health workers,building and construction workers, digital workers and many more who are already at work, including the 300 young men and women who were flagged off by my deputy yesterday to work abroad?” he posed.

Expose fake news

Ruto maintained such national events also present a perfect opportunity for his administration to expose fake news and those pushing misleading agendas to sabotage his administration.

“Jamhuri Day is also a moment for Kenyans to expose the fake news aimed at discrediting our ambition, sabotaging our hope and seeking to dampen our resolve,” Ruto told the people who attended the celebration.

There is a time to resist and a time to accept; a time to deny and a time to admit; a time to doubt and a time to believe. In the face of undeniable evidence, scepticism must give way to confidence, and we must reject the deceptive embrace of disinformation and fake news. The results and positive impact of our collective pursuit of fundamental economic change can no longer be wished away,” he emphasised.

Despite his hard stance on purveyors of fake news, Ruto announced that his administration is open to criticism and alternative proposals.

“I have no doubt that the national economic transformation agenda will succeed and deliver for the people of Kenya. I have no problem with discourse, criticism and alternative proposals. In fact, I welcome them and listen to feedback in order to learn, improve and become better.”

“At the same time, I see clearly that a lot of what passes for facts are falsehoods and that most opposition is based on inaccurate representations and outright disinformation. We are at the stage in social development when digital technologies have immense capacity to amplify disinformation, magnify fake news and distort facts beyond all recognition. If we give in to these emerging negative trends, we shall pay with our freedom, democracy and development.”