Kenyans Defend BBC After Gov't Goes For Broadcaster Over "Tax Collector President" Phrase

• The British Broadcasting Corporation published an article painting President William Ruto as a "tax collector"
• Ruto has more than once acknowledged the nickname Zakayo, a Kiswahili version of the biblical Zacchaeus known for tax collection
• Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura differed with the BBC, but a section of Kenyans said the broadcaster was accurate in indicating that Ruto's tax approach was burdensome

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

A section of Kenyans online have taken sides with British Broadcasting Cooperation over its publication deemed demeaning by President William Ruto's administration.

BBC calls William Ruto a "tax collector president"

In an online publication, the BBC referred to Ruto as the "Tax Collector President," a phrase that irked Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura.

In the publication "William Ruto: The ‘Tax Collector’ President Sparking Kenyan Anger," the publisher highlighted how Ruto had introduced new taxes and hiked the existing ones to make Kenya self-sustainable economically.

The article by Basillioh Rukanga further shared the opinions of Kenyans expressing their dissatisfaction with Ruto's approach, with associations like the Federation of Kenyan Employees calling on the government to review taxes.

In a quick retort, Mwaura, whom Ruto appointed, sought to "clarify" the report, a move that many Kenyans, including combative lawyer Miguna Miguna, questioned.

Isaac Mwaura disagrees with the BBC report

Miguna wondered why the government spokesperson sought to clarify a report not initially done by the government and schooled Mwaura on how to headline such rejoinders.

"Clarification on the malicious, untruthful, and false reports published by the @BBCWorld online today," the government spokesperson captioned the rejoinder on X on Wednesday, December 20.

Miguna was quick to observe the response and had this to say:

"You can’t clarify what someone else has published. All you can do is seek clarification, retraction, or an apology from the publisher. Communication 101!"

Other Kenyans online sided with the BBC's article, saying it accurately captured their opinion about the current regime.

Kenyans defend the BBC over William Ruto's report

"Dear @SpokespersonGoK, trust me, @BBCWorld only spoke the mind of us, the ordinary Kenyans. You continue hiding your head under the sand," Anne Mbugua responded.

Wachira The Maverick said that he could confirm that the BBC was accurate in its reporting.

"As a Kenyan, I can confirm the light painted is correct," he responded on X.

Yussuf Ibrahim pitied Mwaura, insinuating he had a tough job defending the government with words that actions could not compound.

"I always pray I don’t get a job where I am forced to prove that I am working. Here is a good example! Results should do the work," Ibrahim quipped.

Another netizen pointed out errors in the spokesperson's statement.

Kamundi accused the government of sinking energy to counter news reports instead of doing the work and letting results speak for themselves.

"Spending so much energy and resources to counter a news report. Actions could do a better job than so many words on a piece of, paper," said the netizen.

Franklin Olum agreed with Miguna that Mwaura had no grounds to clarify a report he did not author.

"How can you clarify something that came from someone else? I thought it was for that someone to clarify," Olum said.

Nelson Amenya observed that the denial of the BBC report by the government justified the claim that it was accurate.

"It’s not true until it’s denied publicly," Amenya said.

Mwaura accused the BBC of undermining the freedom of the press and reiterated that Ruto's administration had created about 270,000 jobs locally and reduced the cost of flour and cooking oil, besides securing employment opportunities for Kenyans abroad.