The Russian Embassy in Kenya on Thursday firmly distanced itself from a viral video clip that misleadingly depicted President Vladimir Putin voicing support for Kenyan protesters.
The clip, which gained significant traction on TikTok, featured an altered voice-over and captions, falsely suggesting that the Russian leader was endorsing the ongoing demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.
The Embassy issued a stern warning about the clip’s authenticity, highlighting that it was a clear case of misinformation.
“We have noticed that a fake video of the President of Russia has been circulating on Kenyan social media,” the statement read.
“Completely fake voice-over and captions were added over real footage of a past address by the Russian President. Beware of misinformation.”
Since the protests began on June 18, the Russian government and President Putin have remained silent on the issue.
However, the Embassy has been proactive in advising its citizens in Kenya to stay clear of protest hotspots, particularly as the demonstrations often escalate into chaos.
Earlier this week, the Embassy issued an advisory urging Russian nationals to avoid Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and other areas prone to unrest.
“To the attention of Russian citizens located in Kenya: There is currently an increased risk of mass demonstrations in Nairobi and other cities in Kenya,” the advisory cautioned.
“As of July 2, 2024, it is recommended not to visit the central area of Nairobi.”
The protests, largely driven by Kenya’s Generation Z, have been a vehement rejection of the Finance Bill 2024, which introduces a series of new taxes.
Protesters argue that the bill is punitive and exacerbates the already high cost of living.
Despite the demonstrations, Kenyan lawmakers passed the bill last week, prompting President William Ruto to withdraw it in response to the public outcry.
President Ruto acknowledged the financial challenges posed by the bill’s ambitious measures, stating that the country would need to borrow Ksh1 trillion to finance it.
This move is expected to further increase Kenya’s foreign debt, adding another layer of complexity to the nation’s economic woes.
Both the Kenyan government and international observers remain watchful, anticipating the next steps in this tense political and social sphere.
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