Kenyans, known for their sharp wit, have begun humorously mocking President William Ruto’s frequent ‘development’ tours, where he has inaugurated projects ranging from water stations to a dormitory. This trend, which began circulating on X on Wednesday,
August 14, involves Kenyans playfully wrapping ribbons around everyday items and pretending to launch them, a satirical jab at Ruto’s tendency to officiate rural projects that some believe could be handled by his Cabinet Secretaries or even local MCAs.
The trend gained traction after Kenyans noticed that the President was not only launching grand projects but also relatively ordinary ones, like school dormitories and water tanks. In response, Kenyans have embraced the sarcasm by imagining the launch of other trivial items. Photos shared online depict everything from a loaf of bread to a bunch of bananas being ceremoniously “launched.”
One Kenyan, holding a pair of scissors, posted a photo of himself ‘launching’ a mound of ugali, writing, “We’re pleased to have William Ruto commission this ugali tonight. He has promised to deliver three Luhya men to help us finish it and a posho mill built within this single room.”
Another Kenyan posted a photo of a can of Mortein Doom insecticide, complete with ribbons, captioning it, “There were so many mosquitoes in my room tonight, but thanks to President William Ruto, he has launched a Ksh.2 billion insecticide to help me combat the insects. Ruto tano tena!”
Yet another shared a photo of himself ‘launching’ his bed, with the caption: “Tonight, we are pleased to have the President commission the next eight hours of sleep. During that time, his administration will ensure that I sleep soundly and that in the next eight hours, sleep will be replicated all around the country. #RutoDelivers!”
Perhaps the most viral post was shared by popular X user @ItsChanzu, who posted a photo of himself about to ‘launch’ a loaf of bread, writing, “I’m honoured to have @WilliamsRuto launch my breakfast earlier this morning. He has promised Ksh. 100 Million to build a bakery in my bedroom.”
Since the street demonstrations have subsided and political tensions have eased, President Ruto has embarked on numerous ‘development’ tours across the country. Accompanied by senior government officials, he has been launching various projects, some of which Kenyans have noted were already inaugurated years ago, often by Ruto himself.
One of the most talked-about launches was Ruto laying the foundation stone for a new dormitory at Kianbonyoru Secondary School in North Mugirango Constituency, Nyamira County.
“Do you guys know just how much it costs to move the President around? And his entourage? Can you imagine the millions of shillings that were wasted for the President to merely go launch a dormitory? Isn’t this something the area MCA can do? This is wild!” Karani Ken commented on X.
