President William Ruto has told Kenyans living abroad to approach social media news with caution when tracking developments back home. During his official visit to Italy, the President warned that a significant portion of online content remains misleading or entirely fabricated. He noted that the surge of misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms often distorts the actual situation on the ground in Kenya.
“You read a lot of stories on social media, most of which is fake, misinformation; three quarters of it is disinformation,” Ruto said. “It is good to get a correct picture of where we are as a country.”
The President encouraged the diaspora community to rely on verified information sources to gain a clearer perspective on the nation’s trajectory. Expressing strong confidence in his administration’s track record, he stood by the various reforms and development projects launched under his leadership.
“I am very proud of the progress that we have made,” he said. “When I made commitments to Kenyans during the campaign, many people thought I overpromised. They actually told me as much, and some of them were sympathizing with me.”
President Ruto recalled a poignant exchange with a religious leader who suggested that politicians often make lofty campaign promises they never truly intend to keep.
“One bishop told me it is understandable for one to make promises for the sake of getting votes and said you must not keep all of them,” he said. “And I remember telling him, I intend to make every commitment I made to Kenyans.”
The president stood firm on his administration’s resolve to fulfill every pledge made to the electorate. He insisted that the government continues to make steady strides toward these goals, even as it navigates a challenging global economic landscape.
President Ruto defended the rigorous economic reforms his administration introduced in 2022, describing them as vital measures to stabilize the nation’s finances and rebuild investor trust. He noted that the difficult choices made early in his term have fundamentally altered Kenya’s economic trajectory.
“Today, you can see the difference in the sacrifices we made then,” he said. “Our inflation was at nine percent; it is now four percent. Our exchange rate had gone all the way to Sh160 for a US dollar; it is now Sh129.”
The president noted that this newfound stability and predictability now allow the government to shift its attention toward long-term development goals. He expressed total confidence in the path taken, asserting that the early hardships are now paying dividends for the country.
“Our economy is now fairly stable; we can now count on it. We continue to do what we must do,” he said. “I can say with confidence that the sacrifices we made in 2022 are giving us results.”
While Ruto acknowledged that global pressures – specifically fuel market volatility caused by Middle East tensions – continue to pose risks, he maintained that the government possesses the tools and resilience to manage these external shocks.
