By Diaspora Times Investigative Desk

“Removing Ruto from offfice is a national priority agenda! More important than dualling Mombasa road to Malaba!”- Edwin Sifuna

Restoring public confidence requires more than grand infrastructure projects—bridges, highways, stadiums, dams, or markets. It demands the uncompromising protection of human rights and the sanctity of life. No amount of development can compensate for the abduction or murder of citizens. The responsibility lies squarely with the government, regardless of who pulls the trigger. Blame games are irrelevant in the face of lost lives—accountability and restoring real democracy in Kenya are the only paths forward. Arch. Dr. D.K. Gitau

From 1933 to 1945, Adolf Hitler tightened his grip on Germany through a regime that perfected the dark sciences of fear, control, and propaganda. His chief ideologue, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, masterfully manipulated media to build loyalty, stoke fear, and crush dissent. Today, in 21st-century Kenya, an unsettling parallel emerges. While the uniforms have changed, and the language is now laced with “hustler” populism, the essence of authoritarian governance remains disturbingly familiar.

President William Ruto, once a symbol of grassroots ambition, now presides over a regime increasingly characterized by propaganda, repression, and cronyism. Kenya is not walking blindfolded into dictatorship—it is being carefully guided there, by voices whispering in vernacular, hashtags amplified in digital echo chambers, and media operatives turned state functionaries.

State-Run Propaganda and the Rise of Digital Mercenaries

At the heart of Ruto’s propaganda apparatus is Dennis Itumbi—a self-styled digital strategist who functions as both gatekeeper and attack dog. Much like Goebbels in Nazi Germany, Itumbi has weaponized information to manufacture consent, delegitimize critics, and drown out alternative narratives. Through the so-called “Hustler Nation Intelligence Bureau (HNIB),” state messaging is laundered through influencers, bots, and anonymous accounts that amplify regime talking points while vilifying dissenters as traitors or foreign-sponsored saboteurs.

These digital battalions do more than spread praise for the President. They spread fear. They monitor activists, dox journalists, and manipulate hashtags to make propaganda trend while smearing opponents. The effect is a chilling one: national discourse is no longer a debate; it is a warzone.

Bribes, Loyalty, and Political Immunity: A Familiar Pattern

In Nazi Germany, military generals were given estates, tax exemptions, and gold to remain loyal—even as the regime descended into madness. In Kenya, the currency is different, but the pattern remains.

President Ruto has appointed loyalists and former campaign operatives into plum state positions, irrespective of qualifications or integrity. Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, and shadowy tenderpreneurs accused of corruption continue to enjoy protection as long as they remain loyal to the President. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), long touted as a pillar of accountability, now appears toothless—reduced to a public relations tool rather than an investigative body.

Those who dare speak out against this culture of impunity are swiftly targeted. Activists are abducted. Protesters are shot. Opposition leaders are branded as threats to national security. Meanwhile, Ruto continues to claim democratic legitimacy, quoting scripture even as his government operates in shadows.

Religious Manipulation and Mass Hypnosis

One of the most troubling aspects of Ruto’s regime is the weaponization of religion. Weekly prayers, state-funded church events, and public displays of piety have become routine. But this is not faith; it is fascism in vestments.

Goebbels once said, “Propaganda works best when those who are being manipulated are confident they are acting on their own free will.” In Kenya today, millions genuinely believe Ruto is a savior—because the propaganda has been that effective.

Silencing Dissent, Rewarding Zealots

From the abduction of Gen Z protestors to the unjust detention of rights activists like Boniface Mwangi, the pattern is clear: silence the bold, frighten the masses, and reward the sycophants. Journalists are intimidated. Artists are censored. Public intellectuals are mocked or marginalized.

Meanwhile, Dennis Itumbi continues to tweet biblical verses while orchestrating online smear campaigns against whistleblowers and protesters. His parallels with Goebbels are not merely stylistic—they are structural.

Kenya Is at a Crossroads

Ruto’s defenders will argue that Kenya is a democracy—that elections were held and power was transferred. But democracy is not just a vote; it is a culture. It is accountability, transparency, freedom of speech, and the ability to challenge power without fearing abduction or death.

Today, the economic crisis has worsened, youth unemployment is sky-high, and foreign investors are fleeing. Yet, the government’s energy is fixated not on solutions but on spinning failures into glory.

History has warned us. Regimes that begin with public praise and unchecked loyalty often end in flames. Kenya must resist that fate. The media must be vigilant. Citizens must be bold. The diaspora must be alert.

The lessons of 1933 must not become the reality of 2025.

Disclaimer: This editorial reflects the independent opinion of The Diaspora Times. All facts presented herein are drawn from public records, verified reports, and ongoing investigative research. We invite any clarifications or counterpoints to be sent to diasporatimeskenya@gmail.com.

Written by: David Odhiambo, Diaspora Times Correspondent, UK