Netizens Spot Trend of Vilifying Luos for Working with Government

A section of Kenyans online have raised concern over what they describe as a growing trend of criticism targeting individuals from the Luo community who engage or work with President William Ruto.

The conversation gained attention on X after media personality Oga Obinna suggested he would like to escort popular boxers Mbavu Destroyer and Majembe to State House after their recent recognition on social media.

Reacting to the criticism that followed the suggestion by Obinna, one netizen questioned what they described as apparent double standards in how public engagements with State House are interpreted online.

“Mko sawa Obinna akibonga na Riggy G kwa show yake but hamko sawa akipeleka vijana State House?” Osama Otero said on his X page.

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An X User Citing Instances

Blogger Gabriel Oguda, also cited past instances which involved prominent national figures to argue that similar reactions had not been witnessed in other appointments or engagements involving Kenyans which are not Luos.

Oguda recalled how some Kenyans wrote to African head of states and the African Union asking them to reject late Raila Odinga’s bid for the AUC Chairmanship.

On the contrary, Oguda said Kenyans never opposed Uhuru Kenyatta’s nomination as peace envoy and facilitator for the East African Community (EAC)-led Nairobi Peace Process.

“They wrote to all African Heads of State cautioning them against voting for Baba Raila Amolo Odinga for AU Commission Chair. The same courtesy was not extended to Uhuru Kenyatta in his nomination as peace envoy and facilitator for the East African Community (EAC)-led Nairobi Peace Process,” Oguda said.

Similarly, Oguda pointed that Kenyans wrote to Ida Odinga asking her to reject Ruto’s appointment but kept silent when Supreme Court Justice Njoki Ndungu was nominated to the International Criminal Court.

“They wrote to Min Piny discouraging her from taking up an envoy assignment to represent the country she loves. The same courtesy was not extended to Supreme Court Justice Njoki Ndungu upon her nomination to the International Criminal Court,” he said.

Further, Oguda said Kenyans were silent when Truphena Muthoni visited State House but they are now asking Oga Obinna not to visit the President.

“They’re now writing to Oga Obinna cautioning him against visiting State House to highlight the plight of boxing as a sport in Kenya. The same courtesy was not extended to Truphena Muthoni when she visited State House to explain how it was possible to hug a tree in record time,” Oguda said.

Some Users Agreed By Commenting On X

Mudge Rulf said a section of Kenyans don’t have Ruto but have an issue with ODM being in government.

“Some you don’t have an issue with KK government, your only issue is them working with ODM. That’s the reason why you have been focusing on ODM instead of building and supporting a serious alternative. Some of you deserve your bad leaders because you aren’t different from them,” Mudge Rulf said.

The debate quickly expanded beyond the entertainers, with some users pointing to what they described as a recurring pattern in which members of the Luo community always face backlash whenever they publicly associate with the ruling government.

The arguments come when broader national conversations about political engagement across the regions take place even as leaders, professionals and creatives increasingly interact with the government on different initiatives.

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Luos Associated With Opposition

Historically, the Luo community has usually been associated with opposition politics since the return of multiparty democracy in the early 1990s.

Some social media users also argued that opportunities for young people, including creatives and sports personalities, should not be interpreted through a political lens.

Others on another hand insisted that public engagements involving State House often attract scrutiny regardless of who is involved.

This discussion highlights how social media platforms continue to influence public opinion.

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