Ruto Threatens to Fire Dennis Itumbi Live on Camera

President William Ruto has threatened to fire Head of Presidential Special Projects & Creative Economy Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi if he does not address the issue of piracy affecting the digital sector.

Speaking at the Kalasha Awards Event, organizers held at the KICC, Nairobi, demanded accountability in addressing the piracy problem.

“I have a guy I gave a job called Dennis Itumbi, and I gave you a job and told you what the job description. What is it that we are doing about piracy?” Ruto asked.

The President, speaking at the function, said he had designated Itumbi with a clear responsibility and thus expected a concrete response.

Itumbi acknowledged that Kenya has a problem with piracy and attributed it to the slow response from the Kenya Film Commission Board.

“Your Excellency, it is true we have a problem with piracy, we have a commission… We have a board that’s dealing with piracy, but it has been slow in giving results,” he said..

Itumbi went ahead to promise that he will sit with creatives and report back to the President with a clear roadmap within two weeks.

“What I can pledge here today is that in the next two weeks, we will bring to you a roadmap. We are going to sit with some members of this team that are seated here and five creatives and come back to you with what we are going to do,” he told the President.

Also Read: Ruto Announces Plan to Allocate 30% of Govt Advertisements to Content Creators

Showmax Lost to Piracy: Ruto Sets Two-Week Deadline for Anti-Piracy Strategy

Itumbi went on to disclose the severity of the issue, stating that Kenya has indeed lost Showmax as a platform due to piracy.

After his explanation, Ruto said the delivery of the promise will determine whether he will keep his job or not.

“And that stands between you and your job. You should know that,” Ruto said.

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President William Ruto, together with the Kalasha Awards Event organizers at the KICC, Nairobi, on May 2, 2026.
PHOTO/PCS.