Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi has dismissed claims of a fallout between President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki.
In a statement posted late at night on Wednesday, January 1, 2024, Dennis Itumbi debunked claims that Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, was at the centre of the fallout.
Dennis Itumbi explained that a false narrative had been created to insinuate that Farouk slapped DP Kindiki, leading to a fallout between the Head of State and the second in command.
He, however, maintained that it was an outright lie spewed to divert people’s attention from the real transformation works lined up by Ruto and his principal assistant.
Itumbi further vowed to continue exposing such lies in real time to enable the Kenya Kwanza administration to focus on service delivery.
“Ati DP Kithure Kindiki was slapped by Farouk. Uwongo, ati, there is a fallout; please craft uwongo that lasts. The President and his deputy are busy implementing the plan,” Itumbi’s statement posted on X read in part.
“This year the projects and programmes will speak. 2025, we will point out your lies in real time,” it added.
Ati DP @KindikiKithure was slapped by Farouk. UWONGO. ati, there is a fallout, PLEASE craft UWONGO, that lasts. The President and his deputy are busy implementing the PLAN. This year the projects and programmes,will SPEAK. 2025, we will point out your LIES real time.
— -Dennis Itumbi, CBS (@OleItumbi) January 1, 2025
Before Itumbi’s clarification, DP Kindiki had shared a statement on his official social media pages stating that the new year offers a fresh opportunity for leaders to work for the betterment of the country.
“The beginning of the year provides all of us with the opportunity to renew our collective focus on Project Kenya. Now is the time for each citizen to freshen the resolve to work harder towards a better future and a more cohesive nation.
“This way, we will expedite the realization of our vision of a society free from fear and want. God bless this, our land and nation,” Kindiki said in his statement.
Warning over fake news
During Jamhuri Celebrations on December 12, 2024, the Head of State urged Kenyans to be cautious of disinformation aimed at sabotaging development, undermining democracy, and destabilising the country in pursuit of sectarian political interests.
Ruto pointed out that much of the opposition against the government stems from inaccurate representation and outright disinformation.
He called on critics to stop misleading the public and instead engage in discussions based on fact and the truth.
“We are at the stage in social development when digital technologies have immense capacity to amplify disinformation, magnify fake news, and distort facts beyond all recognition,” he said.
He went on: “If we give in to these emerging negative trends, we shall pay with our freedom, democracy, and development.”
