Govt Addresses Hiring PR Firms to Repair Ruto’s Image
The government has dismissed allegations about hiring international PR firms APO Group and Zawya to manage its public relations.
In a statement on Monday, January 13, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura clarified that the government has no commercial relationship with either company.
The clarification followed an online article claiming the agencies were being paid to improve President William Ruto’s public image.
According to the statement, one of the firms, APO Group, has been providing pro bono support since 2020, helping distribute updates from the Presidency without financial compensation.
“A recent publication alleges the government hired APO Group and Zawya for public relations. For clarity, the government has no commercial ties with these organizations,” the statement read. It further noted, “APO has voluntarily shared Presidency news since March 2020, even before Ruto’s tenure, to amplify African voices.”
The article alleged that APO Group, known for empowering businesses through strategic communications, and Zawya, a trusted news source in the Middle East and Africa, were assisting in promoting positive narratives about the Presidency and key ministries.
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It also claimed the government was paying online influencers between Ksh30,000 and Ksh100,000 monthly to highlight its achievements and advance the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The alleged PR push was reportedly part of a strategy to counter the negative fallout from protests against the Finance Bill 2024 and accusations of excessive force during demonstrations.
The government has faced scrutiny from Western nations and human rights groups over alleged extrajudicial actions, including abductions and disappearances of critics.
To strengthen its image, the article suggested that a senior official had hired media and communication experts alongside the alleged involvement of the two agencies.
President Ruto has previously expressed concerns about the dangers of misinformation online. During his 2024 Jamhuri Day address, he warned, “Digital technologies now have the power to amplify disinformation, spread fake news, and distort facts. If we succumb to these threats, we risk losing our freedom, democracy, and development.”
Govt Addresses Hiring PR Firms to Repair Ruto’s Image
