This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
July 11, 2020
Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi has found himself at the receiving end of a barrage of criticism on Twitter after he roped in US President Donald Trump in his fight against Interior CS Fred Matiang'i.
Itumbi, who was recently kicked out of government, took to Twitter to express his outrage over Matiang'i's handling of the Ruaraka land saga, which he claimed involved the theft of 1.5 billion shillings of government money.
However, his attempt to use Trump's influence to pressure Matiang'i into arrest backfired, with many Kenyans calling out his selective fight against corruption.
Netizens pointed out that Itumbi only speaks out against corruption when it involves leaders from President Uhuru Kenyatta's side of Jubilee, but remains silent when it comes to leaders from Deputy President William Ruto's side.
One Twitter user, Kahuria Johnteh, reminded Itumbi of his silence on several high-profile corruption cases, including the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal and the Weston Land saga.
Another user, Benjamin Akaba, questioned Itumbi's intentions, asking when the Weston hotel land would be handed over to its rightful owners.
Itumbi's close relationship with DP Ruto has been a subject of controversy in the past, with many accusing him of being a key suspect in the fake DP Ruto assassination letter that left the DP politically bruised.
Itumbi's use of the Daily Nation newspaper to back up his claims was also called out by some Twitter users, who pointed out that he and DP Ruto frequently dismiss the newspaper as fake news whenever the headlines do not support their agenda.
Itumbi's tweet to Trump, in which he claimed that Matiang'i was a suspect of theft, was met with skepticism by many, who questioned his intentions and motives.
