Kenyans Slam Hussein Mohamed For Amplifying William Ruto's Booming Economy Claims: "Weka WhatsApp"

• State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed echoed President William Ruto's sentiments that the country's economic situation was good
• The former news anchor's statement angered Kenyans, who bashed him for what they termed 'changing' since landing a government job
• Netizens dismissed the claims that the economy was booming, saying their financial situations were worse off than they were before

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed found himself on Kenyans' wrong side after sharing sentiments that did not resonate with them.

Hussein Mohamed on Kenya's economy

The former Citizen TV news anchor shared a video of President William Ruto, echoing his statement that Kenya's economy was doing well.

"President @WilliamsRuto: "The cost of living is now lower than last year, and the economy is booming," Hussein captioned the video.

In the video, Ruto expressed optimism about the nation's economic status, stating that the stringent financial policies implemented over the past year have enabled Kenya to repay its debts.

"I want to tell Kenyans that we have stabilised Kenya's economy; the challenges we were facing made people think Kenya would be unable to pay their debts. I want to say that we have stabilised our economy. We are on track to fulfil our promises and pay all our debts, and we will make sure we pay our debts. As I said in Parliament, our first step in paying off our debt will kick off in December to ensure we put our country on sound economic footing.

A year ago, we were staring at debt distress; we were staring at a difficult moment. I want to say because of the decisions we have made over the last year Today, I can now comfortably tell the nation that Kenya is now on a sound economic footing and trajectory, and we are well on the way to making sure that we respect all our commitments including all our debts so that we can get our nation moving," he said.

Hussein's endorsement of the president's statements led to increased scrutiny and backlash from the Kenyans.

Netizens react to Hussein Mohamed's post

Many questioned the credibility of the government's claims, citing ongoing economic hardships and rising inflation, all of which contradicted the notion of a stable economy.

@BrianMtetezi:

"Post this in your WhatsApp status Hussein."

@ZamuhAdan:

"Hizi weka kwa WhatsApp."

@fredmungai:

"Then why did you do a supplementary budget to allocate more to Rigathi because the cost of goods has risen rapidly since just the main budget 5 months ago, let alone prices last year?"

@SimonKagima:

"Okay, I guess I'm the one not doing much. I need extra 20k to do same I was doing last year! 1. Shop 2. Water 3. Electricity(especially this is gone rogue!). God is my source from where I stand!"

@Bosire101:

"1K of last year is now 600 today. How has this lowered cost of living while the pay is the same with 52% going to taxes?"

@cmwai2012:

"Booming must have lost its original meaning."

@mureithidan1:

"How do u do maths sir? last year at such time Dollar was at Kshs 123 today Shs 157. Interest rates was 14% today 18%. petro was shs 157 today shs 217. and all this no extra disposable income. Me am poorer than last year."

@charliefabians:

"Say cost of Unga, Lower Than last year October-DeC..yes. The payslip we used to have then, is the same now so,..Cost of living, NO. With the introduction of New Taxes like the Housing levy, increased NHIF and Nssf deductions, cost of fuel & cost of electricity up, It's worse now."

Hussein Mohamed on Unga Prices

Previously, Hussein claimed that unga prices at various supermarkets had dropped.

On Monday, April 17, the government spokesman said that a 2kg packet of unga retailed at around KSh 160 and KSh 157.

"Unga prices have started going down just as President William Ruto had assured Kenyans over the weekend. Prices have dropped to KSh 159 and KSh 160, depending on the millers," read part of a tweet from Mohamed.