When he announced the ambition to lead Kenya back in 2021, many doubted him, others openly opposed him and others publicly announced he would not make it to the 2022 poll. And that is President William Ruto.
Three years after getting into office and rescuing Kenya’s economy that was in ICU, many still cannot process the fact that the chicken seller is on his way to lifting Kenya to the same level as the US, China, Russia and other first world countries.
This is where the overseas jobs programme or if you like it, the Kazi Majuu negative campaign comes in.
President William Ruto attends a church service. Photo: William Ruto Source: Facebook
In the last few days, a false narrative has spread in villages and on social media claiming that overseas jobs are a scam and that the President’s family benefits from people’s suffering.
However, experts say these claims are fake, manufactured and part of a tactic known as Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, shortened as FIMI.
They explain that this tactic uses emotional tricks and foreign stories to confuse the public and damage trust. This is after a viral post by a local media house painted a misleading picture of a president who has been exposed by an international media of benefitting from the overseas jobs.
In the post, a fresh grave is surrounded by relatives and family members with a caption that the late died as a result of Gulf-related jobs.
FIMI Red Flag 1. Using a foreign media source to attack Kenya.
A screengrab by Nairobi Loop, Local media outlet used in the misleading campaign. Photo: Screengrab by Kenya Digest
Experts note that the viral post begins with the line A New York Times investigation shows.
This is often used to make a message look more believable. Even if a foreign article exists, the way it is used can be twisted to push anger rather than facts. The goal is to use an external voice to undermine local leaders and create suspicion among citizens.
FIMI Red Flag 2. Emotional hijacking using funeral imagery.
The reel shows a gravesite, mourners and flowers.
The New York Times story does not show any of this.
This is done to trigger grief and panic. When people are upset, they stop questioning the accuracy of the message. Experts warn that such images are designed to bypass reasoning and force emotional reactions.
FIMI Red Flag 3. Narrative matches propaganda used in Gulf rivalry.
Analysts say the claims in the reel follow a familiar script seen in propaganda pages involved in regional tensions.
President William Ruto during Ukambani tour. Photo: William Ruto Source: Facebook
Words like poor Kenyan women, unpaid wages and politicians profit are repeated in foreign agitation networks.
Kenya becomes a target simply because it has labour agreements that some groups want to discredit.
FIMI Red Flag 4. Designed to break trust between citizens and government.
The reel pushes the idea that the President profits, his family profits and the poor are sent to suffer. This is not neutral reporting.
This is trust erosion messaging, created to turn citizens against a programme that is helping many families.
Migration specialists explain that the overseas jobs programme is real, formal and monitored. Normal challenges such as sickness or accidents are handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with host country authorities.
There is no evidence linking the President or his family to any overseas job scandal. No official report or investigation has ever made such a claim. Experts say the story is manufactured to distract Kenyans and create panic.
As the false narrative spreads, the intention becomes clear. It aims to scare the youth, block opportunities and weaken public confidence in Kenya’s progress.
The simple truth remains. The overseas job scam story is fake. The FIMI narrative behind it is deliberate. And Kenyans deserve facts, not emotional manipulation.