In recent weeks, a trend featuring silhouettes resembling President William Ruto has surged across Kenyan social media.
The trend now raised questions about the government’s response and the fate of the artist behind the phenomenon. Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo addressed concerns during an interview on Citizen TV on December 11, stating that the government does not intend to take legal action against the silhouette creator.
He recognized the individual’s artistic talent, despite its negative portrayal of high-profile leaders. Omollo expresses a preference for fostering creativity, suggesting that the artist could explore avenues to monetize their skills in a more constructive manner.
“The level of creativity of Kenyans is quite amazing and interesting. It demonstrates what is possible with technology. They can even look for ways to monetize it in a manner that is not ridiculing,” he remarked.
This statement follows inquiries from viewers regarding the future of the silhouette artist, whose work has attracted government scrutiny for its critical depiction of prominent figures. In a countering move, Dennis Itumbi, head of Special Projects and Creative Economy in the Office of the President, has utilized silhouettes to emphasize the president’s accomplishments.
The Kenyan Constitution protects freedom of speech, allowing citizens to voice opinions on social media platforms. However, the recent trend has prompted scrutiny of how this freedom applies, with high-ranking officials, including Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, voicing concerns over its usage, particularly in terms of government critique.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto hosted MPs from Raila Odinga’s Nyanza region at State House on Tuesday in a meeting that extended late into the night. The discreet gathering, which began at 7 PM, focused on the follow-up of development projects promised by the President during his previous tour in Kisumu. Key topics included the construction of vital roads such as Muhoroni-Mamboleo and Awasi-Katito, as well as the Koru-Soin dam and several other regional infrastructure initiatives.
This was the first such meeting since the formation of a broad-based government, which included opposition members, with prominent attendees being newly appointed Cabinet officials John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi.
