President blames misinformation, fake news for Gen Z protests

President William Ruto, in an interview with German media, attributed the recent Gen Z protests, which left 50 people dead and 66 missing, to fake news and misinformation.

Responding to questions from Deutsche Welle (DW) journalist Fatou Ellika Muloshi, Ruto said that many Kenyans stopped protesting once they realised the demonstrations were fuelled by disinformation.

"When people realised that the negativity surrounding the finance bill was based on fake news, they stopped. The demonstrations were fuelled by misinformation, fake news and disinformation," Ruto said in the interview, which was published on DW's website.

Ruto, who was interviewed during a state visit to Germany, cited misinformation about certain taxes as a primary driver of the protests. "There were rumors of tax on dogs, land, which did not exist. Criminals took advantage of the situation. A peaceful protester does not burn down buildings," he said, referring to reports of arson during the demonstrations.

DW published the video interview over the weekend but has not transcribed it on its website.

The president blamed criminals for damaging property, including setting Parliament on fire and looting businesses. When Muloshi asked about claims of excessive force by police, Ruto defended law enforcement, stating that the police have a responsibility to protect property and lives.

"It is a delicate balance, but the police must protect innocent protesters and maintain order," he said.

When asked about the missing, injured, and deceased from the protests, Ruto pledged support for the affected families and promised measures to prevent future casualties.

In the same interview, Ruto announced the launch of a new programme that aims to provide 200,000 job opportunities for Kenyan youth.

"I assure Kenyans they will see action. I have just created a broad-based government to address the issues at hand," he said.

Ruto emphasised that the protests were primarily driven by a lack of economic opportunities. He assured citizens that his administration is working on several projects to create jobs and help vulnerable populations. "A lot is happening, and we have launched resilient projects to tackle unemployment," Ruto noted.

Ruto also blamed the economic strain on climate change, which he said has led to a cycle of droughts and floods, forcing the government to prioritize managing the effects of climate change over debt repayment and economic development.

"Our focus has been on addressing the immediate impacts of climate change, which has taken resources away from paying debts and building the economy," he said.

He also touched on the country’s growing debt crisis, stating that 26 African countries are in a similar situation.

"Many expected Kenya to default, but I assured them it would not happen under my leadership," Ruto said. He added that his government has halted excessive borrowing and is seeking alternative revenue sources. "We are working with partners, including bilateral agreements, to access concessional funds that will help us manage our debt while driving development."

Ruto highlighted recent discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who pledged $90 million to support Kenya's economic interventions, with an additional $60 million coming from other sources.

On the international front, Ruto dismissed the notion that Kenya must choose between partnerships with either China or Europe.

"We are not facing east or west; we are facing forward. There are opportunities with both the East and the West, and we will pursue them in our national interest," he said.

The president also addressed criticism about his frequent travel, particularly remarks that he changed clothes at the airport.

"We had a wonderful experience with both my German and U.S. counterparts. Our focus is on interests, and we have no issue working with the West or the East when our interests align," he said.

Ruto also revealed that his African Union (AU) colleagues have tasked him with overseeing reforms within the organization.

"The AU must be fit for purpose," Ruto stated, emphasizing the need for the union to focus on key issues such as inter-African trade, youth unemployment, and using Africa’s resources to create jobs rather than exporting raw materials.

"My focus is to ensure the AU serves our continent, countries, and people in the best way possible," he said, outlining his commitment to aligning AU institutions with Africa’s current needs.