RUTO’s Crackdown on Cofin Imagery Amid Murkomen’s Assurances
President William Ruto appears to have mobilized his supporters against Kenyans who criticize his policies or express hostility towards him. This follows Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s initiation of a crackdown on individuals sharing images of Ruto and other politicians in coffins.
Ruto previously cautioned youth against disseminating such images, reminding them that the individuals depicted could be their own parents. During the inauguration of Turbo Sub-county offices alongside Ruto, Murkomen committed to prosecuting those who threaten others via social media, labeling such actions as unacceptable.
He pledged rigorous measures against those who create and circulate offensive representations of the nation’s leadership.
“I want to assure you, your Excellency, myself, and our team in Interior, we will reassess this behavior. We will ensure that all individuals using social media to threaten others will face charges. If we neglect this, we risk losing order in our country,” Murkomen stated.
“We must restore order because we want Kenyans to live in an organized nation. We urge those in the church, public service, and politics to support our president to maintain law and order,” he emphasized.
Murkomen raised concerns regarding the motivations behind the use of social media for such purposes, asserting that his ministry will spearhead efforts to curtail this behavior. His remarks coincide with reports of recent forced disappearances of youths who vanished after sharing images of Ruto in a coffin and other disparaging content.
