However, what was meant to showcase the government's dedication to improving the lives of Kenyans has become a subject of widespread ridicule on social media.
Many Kenyans have taken to the internet, particularly on the platform X (formerly known as Twitter), to mock the President’s frequent launches, which they see as unnecessary and, at times, trivial.
The trend of mocking these launches began when Kenyans noticed that the President was not just inaugurating major projects but also smaller, more mundane ones.
These included the launching of water tanks and a school dormitory. Many people felt that such events did not require the presence of the President and could have easily been handled by local government officials like Cabinet Secretaries or even Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
On August 14, 2024, this dissatisfaction boiled over into humor, as Kenyans started posting pictures online of themselves launching everyday items.
They used ribbons and scissors to mimic the official ceremonies and made sarcastic comments about the supposed importance of these “projects.”
The posts were shared widely, and soon the hashtag #RutoDelivers started trending as people joined in the fun. One of the most popular posts came from a user who shared a picture of himself about to cut a ribbon wrapped around a loaf of bread.
He joked that he was “honored” to have President Ruto launch his breakfast, and added that the President had promised to fund the construction of a bakery in his bedroom.
This post quickly went viral, with many people finding it both hilarious and a pointed critique of the President’s activities.
Another user posted a photo of a can of insecticide, again wrapped in ribbons, and claimed that the President had launched a Ksh. 2 billion project to help combat mosquitoes in his room.
The sarcasm was evident, as the user implied that the President’s involvement in such a minor issue was overblown and unnecessary.
In yet another post, a Kenyan shared a picture of his bed, saying that President Ruto had “commissioned” the next eight hours of sleep.
The user joked that during this time, the President’s administration would ensure that he slept soundly and that sleep would be replicated across the country.
The humor here was clear, as the user was poking fun at the idea that the President’s presence was needed for something as routine as sleep.
The online mockery reflects a deeper frustration among many Kenyans. The President's frequent travels and project launches have been seen by some as a waste of resources, particularly at a time when the country is facing significant economic challenges.
The cost of moving the President and his entourage around the country is high, and many people feel that this money could be better spent on more pressing issues.
One of the most criticized events was the President’s recent launch of a dormitory at Kianbonyoru Secondary School in North Mugirango Constituency, Nyamira County.
Many people questioned why the President needed to be involved in such a small-scale project, arguing that this was something that could have been handled by local officials.
A post on X by a user named Karani Ken summed up the general sentiment. He questioned the logic behind spending millions of shillings to move the President and his team just to launch a dormitory.
He asked whether such tasks were not more suited to the local MCA, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
The mockery on social media comes at a time when the political climate in Kenya has been somewhat tense.
After months of street demonstrations and high political temperatures, the President has embarked on these development tours as a way to showcase his government’s achievements.
However, the choice of projects to launch has raised eyebrows, with many people questioning the priorities of the administration.
Some Kenyans have also pointed out that many of the projects the President has been launching were already initiated by previous administrations, or even by him during his time as Deputy President.
This has led to accusations that the President is simply re-launching old projects to create the impression of ongoing development.
The use of social media to criticize the government is not new in Kenya. In recent years, platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram have become powerful tools for citizens to express their views and hold leaders accountable.
The current trend of mock launches is just the latest example of how Kenyans use humor and creativity to voice their frustrations.
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