- A fake statement circulated on social media, claiming the US condemned President William Ruto for allegedly meeting Al-Shabaab.
- The US Embassy in Nairobi flagged the document as fake, refuting all claims.
- The forged document contained typos and inconsistent formatting, raising credibility concerns.
- The controversy follows the recent abduction of five chiefs by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera.
- President Ruto dismissed threats from militants, vowed a crackdown on terrorism, and reassured residents of continued security efforts.
US Dismisses Fake Statement on Alleged Ruto-Al-Shabaab Meeting
The US Embassy in Nairobi has dismissed as fake a document circulating on social media that alleged the US government condemned President William Ruto for engaging with Al-Shabaab militants.
The letter, which was widely shared, falsely claimed that the US viewed the alleged meeting as a “blatant disregard” for Kenya-US security relations and incompatible with global counterterrorism efforts.
However, the US Embassy quickly flagged the document as fake, denying its authenticity. A closer inspection by The Kenya Times revealed numerous typos, inconsistent fonts, and formatting issues, further proving it was forged.
Security Concerns Amid Chief Abductions in Mandera
The fake document controversy comes amid rising security concerns following the abduction of five chiefs by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera County.
The chiefs, who were on an official security assessment mission ahead of President Ruto’s planned visit, were kidnapped and driven toward Somalia’s Jilib region, an area known for Al-Shabaab activity. Intelligence reports suggest they are still being held captive.
In response, President Ruto directed the National Police Service (NPS) to enhance security in Northeastern Kenya. While addressing Mandera residents, he dismissed the militants’ actions as a failed attempt to block his visit.
Ruto Vows to Crush Terrorism in Kenya
President Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to fighting terrorism, vowing to crack down on militants and secure Kenya’s borders.
“You know, these fools thought that by doing what they did yesterday, I wouldn’t come here. They are mad,” Ruto stated during his visit to Mandera.
He assured the people of continued security operations, emphasizing that Kenya will not cede territory to criminals.
Meanwhile, a multi-agency team led by community elders has been deployed to Somalia to negotiate the release of the abducted chiefs. Kenyan intelligence is also focusing on several key towns suspected of harboring militants before the attack.
