A man records a video using a mobile phone to post on social media platforms.
Shoot the messenger. That seems to be the only solution this government can come up with every time problems of its own making are pointed out. From abducting and torturing critics, it now wants to impose State censorship on social media, a move that is not only guaranteed to fail spectacularly, but also provide more proof of the slide toward dictatorship.
The regime has already shone an unfriendly spotlight on itself by deploying armed thugs against citizens who dare ask valid questions about numerous failings.
It now wants to move further and stifle free expression by placing curbs on social media use. The irony is that every leader from President William Ruto down to all his sycophantic noisemakers shout from the rooftops that they are solidly in charge and will not be distracted by either opposition politicians or social media critics.
When they then resort to strong-arm tactics against dissent, they provide proof that they are indeed terrified of their own shadows. If critics were indeed inconsequential and posing no threat at all now or in the run-up to the next elections, there would be no need for the illegal and extreme measures that are a throwback to the one-party dictatorship.
President Ruto, faithfully echoed by his megaphones on the political platform and the army of paid bloggers, seems to spend every waking moment agonising over all challenges that comes his way. He can hardly open his mouth without tearing into critics or offering spirited defense of his accomplishments.
He seems totally oblivious of the fact that the record of his governance will be provided by things that can be seen, touched and felt; not by useless propaganda, abducting and torturing critics or threatening to shut down social media.
Brutal and vindictive actions
The President has done the right thing by publicly acknowledging and even embracing some of the negative nicknames and caricatures bestowed on him.
When as Deputy President he was given the ‘Tangatanga’ tag by President Uhuru Kenyatta, he grabbed it and owned it, turning it into potent political slogan. More recently, he has publicly made light of the Zakayo and Kasongo monikers, even dancing to the latter which was the title of a hit song from the 1970s.
Those are the kind of responses which indicate a man sure and confident, one who will not be shaken by criticism or insults that are the occupational hazards every politician must be able to withstand.
Unfortunately, the wise and mature responses are undermined by the brutal and vindictive actions which expose a President very unsure of his own footing.
No amount of rule by terror and the gagging of critical voices make legitimate questions go away. And neither will crude propaganda paid bloggers achieve anything.
The fact is the government faces a serious credibility problem, and clearly has no idea how to respond.
Recently it added to its army of communications personnel by recruiting an entire battalion to drive a new messaging campaign for the government delivery unit, forgetting that the problem is simply delivery.
Fiefdoms and intense infighting
The Kenya Kwanza regime probably has more communications people than all previous governments combined. It has communications fellows tripping over each other’s feet at State House, the Office of the President, the Office of the Deputy President and all government ministries, but with no clear organisational structure or hierarchy.
It is a veritable Tower of Babel where confusion reigns supreme amidst mini fiefdoms and intense infighting. It is in that confused environment that instead of getting the right and proper advice on how to counter criticism and project a positive image, the government resorts to brute force and other undemocratic methods.
The new Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Wiiliam Kabogo has joined the mindless chorus of those calling for curbs on social media. Government may have the capacity to put in place restrictive measures, but Mr Kabogo should be advised that attempts to police the internet will not be worth the effort.
If anything, he should be advising the President that such moves are unwise, not simply joining the echo-chamber of the semi-literate fellows who seem to enjoy untrammeled power in this regime.
But then, there are real questions as to whether the President listens to anyone other than himself or the praise singers and court jesters who surround him.
Mr Kabogo is obviously still settling down in his new role, and hopefully he will come to learn that as Cabinet Secretary he must elevate himself above the mindless buffoons whose sole rile in life is to flatter the President.
[email protected]. @MachariaGaitho
