Kenyan-Canadian Businesswoman Sues Ruto Administration Over Botched Digital Propaganda Deal

A lawsuit filed by Kenyan-Canadian businesswoman Mary Wachuka against President William Ruto's administration has brought to light allegations of internal strife, a botched digital propaganda deal, and questionable tactics used to manage the government's public image. 

The lawsuit, initiated by Ms. Wachuka of Jipe Inc., seeks substantial compensation for breach of contract related to a controversial digital system designed to bolster the government's public appeal, exposing a complex web of relationships involving senior State House officials and a wealthy financier. At the heart of the dispute is a proposed software solution intended to regain control of the digital narrative, which the government reportedly felt was slipping away. 

Court documents reveal that President Ruto, concerned about his administration's declining public approval and perceived communication breakdown, sought a more effective means of shaping public opinion. According to Ms. Wachuka's filings, the President's speech writer, Eric Ng'eno, acted as an emissary, assuring her that the project would be funded through confidential government funds. 

However, the pursuit of this digital solution was marred by internal conflicts and power struggles, according to the lawsuit. Ms. Wachuka's lawsuit sheds light on a bitter rivalry between key figures within State House, including Denis Itumbi, who was accused of "hijacking the government messaging apparatus," and businessman Jayesh Saini, described as a "regime financier" who allegedly leveraged his financial contributions to exert undue influence over the government's communication strategy. 

The situation was described as so dire that Azimio la Umoja One Kenya, then led by Raila Odinga, was seen as more disciplined and effective. Furthermore, the legal filings raise serious concerns about the methods employed by the Ruto administration to manage its online image. 

Ms. Wachuka alleges that Mr. Saini's assistant demonstrated a system of manually deleting critical comments from the President's social media accounts and using fake accounts managed from India to post supportive messages. These revelations, if proven true, would paint a troubling picture of a government resorting to deceptive tactics to manipulate public perception. 

Adding a chilling dimension to the case, Mr. Saini allegedly referenced the "elimination" of two Indian developers who had worked on a similar system under the previous administration, a statement that will undoubtedly raise further questions about the lengths to which the government is willing to go to control the narrative.

The Attorney-General has also been named in the suit. As the legal proceedings unfold, the revelations from Ms. Wachuka's lawsuit are likely to intensify scrutiny of President Ruto's administration and raise profound questions about its commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.