President Ruto men sued over ‘classified’ software to spy on Kenyans

A high-profile legal battle has revealed an alleged plan by President William Ruto’s administration to acquire a powerful online propaganda tool to help fight negative publicity and support his 2027 re-election efforts. The controversy emerged after a falling out between the President’s aides and the American creators of a software worth $923,346 (about Sh120 million), which was allegedly to be used for spying on critics and controlling online narratives. The fallout has also exposed how public funds may have been improperly used for this project, with potential legal consequences looming over breach of contract claims.

The Lawsuit and Claims of Financial Mismanagement

The legal case was initiated by Mary Wachuka Maina, a Kenyan-Canadian data scientist and software engineer who owns Jipe Inc., a Canadian-based technology company. She is suing four senior Kenyan government officials and two close aides of the President for breach of contract and seeking a hefty sum in compensation—$2,246,322 (Sh292 million). According to the court documents, Ms. Wachuka claims that she suffered significant financial losses due to the government’s failure to honor their agreements and the personal threats she allegedly received over the contract.

The defendants in the case include National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Attorney-General Mr. Jayesh Saini, and Mr. Eric Ng’eno, the President’s speechwriter. Ms. Wachuka alleges that fraudulent misrepresentation by these individuals led to her financial damage. Her lawsuit highlights the pressure she faced as part of the deal, with demands for secrecy and unfulfilled financial promises.

The Controversial Software and Its Alleged Role in Political Strategy

The dispute stems from an agreement where Ms. Wachuka’s company was tasked with developing sophisticated software that could manage President Ruto’s and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s social media accounts. The software was reportedly intended to remove negative comments, promote positive interactions, and monitor the opposition, particularly the Raila Odinga-led coalition. The software was designed to influence social media trends, track public sentiment about the President, and even collect intelligence on journalists and media outlets, potentially damaging their credibility.

The technology was presented as a critical tool for the government’s communication strategy, especially in light of what was described as a dysfunctional communication department within the administration. The software’s capabilities included the ability to spy on individuals, create profiles based on political affiliations, and sway public opinion by discrediting the opposition and bolstering the President’s image ahead of the 2027 election.

Failure to Deliver and Allegations of Financial Mishandling

Ms. Wachuka began working on this project under intense pressure, with promises from the government that payments would be made, but the funds never materialized as expected. Despite assurances from Mr. Ng’eno, the President’s speechwriter, and other officials, there were significant delays in the payments, which led to financial penalties for Ms. Wachuka’s subcontractors. As a result, Ms. Wachuka claims to have lost everything she worked for, including her house, due to her inability to meet the financial demands of the project.

The situation worsened when Ms. Wachuka faced death threats via email and text messages, which she attributes to her involvement in the project. The threats, some of which were reportedly directed at her family, have escalated her distress, prompting her to take legal action to seek protection and compensation.

Legal Actions and Future Implications

Ms. Wachuka is demanding that the Kenyan government pay her Sh119 million for breach of contract, along with an additional Sh170 million to compensate for her losses. She is also requesting compensation for the Sh12 million penalty she paid for the delayed payments and the Sh47 million lost when she was forced to sell her home in the U.S.

The case shines a light on potential abuses of public funds and raises questions about the transparency of government projects, especially those related to political campaigning. It also underscores the risks of using advanced surveillance technology in politics and the consequences of failing to honor contractual agreements. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how government contracts are handled, particularly in sensitive areas involving national security and political campaigns.