Lies vs facts: Ruto’s fresh war on critics (Standard, December 13, p.1). I will prove my critics wrong (Nation, December 13, p.1). So, what did the President exactly say on Jamhuri Day about his critics?
I declare my unwavering faith in the ability of our people to interrogate policies and hold the government accountable. This is not a declaration of “war” on critics or a vow to “prove my critics wrong”. It’s an open invitation to continuous dialogue.
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. Oh yes, this is democracy.
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. Oops! Now, this is something else.
Digital technologies have mightily increased the “ability of our people to interrogate policies and hold the government accountable.” Social media has expanded “discourse, criticism and alternative proposals” on governance.
Alas, what’s the President’s position on his “critics”? He can’t welcome criticism yet at the same time demonise the media through which critics deliver it. The antidote for fake news is truth.
Central Subcounty Police Commander Doris Kemey, an officer who is not authorised to talk to the media, claimed the organisers did not notify the police (Standard, December 11, p.3). An officer who is not authorised to talk to the media said organisers of a protest did not notify the police? But that is already talking to the media, au sio?
In Nyeri, Rhoda Wairimu, who lost her two arms in a quarrel with the husband, termed the physical and emotional toll from gender violence devastating (Standard, December 11, p.3). Nah, this woman did not lose both arms in a mere “quarrel with her husband”. That’s understating the brutality she suffered, called assault in law.
Many well-qualified individuals have seen their talents go down the drawn…(Enterprise, Standard, December 11, p.8). Vipi wasee pale Mombasa Road? What is the meaning of “talents go down the drawn”?
End of an era as TSC boss Macharia set to retire (Nation, December 11, p.14). Sande sana, Madam Boss. But the retirement of a government official after 10 years – a routine thing – can’t be factually described as “end of an era”. That suggests a long and distinct period of history, like President Daniel arap Moi’s 24-year rule.
Kituo Cha Sheria has moved to court seeking to quash a directive by President William Ruto to state agencies to adopt the eCitizen payment platform in service delivery (Nation, December 11, p.8). City lawyer Lempaa Suyianka has moved to court…(p.14). Okay, no problem, except that everyone appears to be “moving to court”. Sometimes we can say “has sued” or “sought court orders”.
Kenyans ordered chicken most during this festive season (People Daily, December 11, p.3). Intro: Fried chicken with large chips, dilliwala butter chicken and chicken biryani were the most ordered meals in the months of October and November, a delivery firm has revealed. Watu wararue kuku, but how is October and November “this festive season” as per the headline? What festivities are held in Kenya in those months?
