Jerusha Muthoni Denies Being NIS Agent, Dismisses Claims of Assuming Different Roles During Ruto’s Tours

Woman at center of social media storm speaks out against allegations of being a planted government beneficiary

NAIROBI – Jerusha Muthoni, the woman who has become the subject of intense social media scrutiny over her repeated appearances at President William Ruto’s development project launches, has broken her silence to dismiss allegations that she is a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent assuming different roles during presidential tours.

Muthoni, who was recently introduced as the first beneficiary of the affordable housing project in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi, has categorically denied claims that she is a government plant used to create false narratives around Kenya Kwanza administration initiatives.

The controversy surrounding Muthoni intensified following the recent launch of the affordable housing project, where she was prominently featured as a success story.

Social media users quickly drew connections between her appearance and similar women seen at other presidential events across different counties, sparking widespread speculation about her true identity and role.

The allegations suggest that Muthoni has appeared in various guises – from receiving rural electrification benefits in Kisii to serving fish to the President in Homa Bay during the launch of a modern fish market.

Critics have dubbed her a “professional beneficiary,” suggesting she travels with the President’s entourage to provide favorable optics for government projects.

Muthoni’s response

Speaking out for the first time since the allegations gained traction, Muthoni dismissed the claims as “politically motivated attacks” designed to undermine the government’s housing program.

“Even those people who say the president moves around with me in Kisii, in Kisumu when I’m cooking fish…it’s all complete lies. It’s just people trying to oppose this project,” Muthoni stated, clearly frustrated by the persistent online speculation.

She insisted that she is simply a grateful citizen who has genuinely benefited from government programs, not a political prop or intelligence operative as suggested by her critics.

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The controversy began gaining momentum after President Ruto’s August 2024 visit to Kisii County, where he launched a rural electrification project. Photos from the event showed the President at a posho mill with a woman many believed to be Muthoni, triggering the initial wave of speculation.

One social media user posted: “This woman has been faking Ruto’s projects. Three months ago, she had a house in Kisii when Ruto launched rural electrification. Yesterday, she was in the Mukuru slums. Who is she?”

Another added: “When Chipukizi told Mukuru youth that Ruto always travels with certain people who benefit from his ventures, I thought it was a lie. But seeing the same woman who received a house now owning a hotel in Kisumu, I no longer doubt it.”

The Housing Project Success Story

Despite the controversy, Muthoni has praised the affordable housing project, crediting it with transforming her life circumstances.

She claims to be significantly more comfortable than she was during her time in the slums, presenting herself as a genuine success story of the government’s housing initiative.

During a light-hearted moment at the Mukuru project launch, Muthoni even joked with President Ruto, saying: “Your excellency, I want you to buy me a car so that I can park there,” demonstrating the apparent ease of their interaction.

Pattern of Appearances

The allegations against Muthoni are part of a broader pattern of criticism directed at President Ruto’s development tours, which have drawn scrutiny over the years for their presentation style and the selection of beneficiaries featured prominently in media coverage.

Critics argue that the repeated appearance of individuals who closely resemble each other at different events across various counties suggests a coordinated effort to manufacture positive publicity for government programs.

While the Office of the President has not issued an official statement regarding the Muthoni controversy, the administration has continued to showcase her story as an example of the affordable housing program’s success. The housing project in Mukuru kwa Njenga represents a significant government investment in addressing Kenya’s housing deficit.

Recent reports indicate that despite the fanfare surrounding the project launch, only one family had moved into the new units within the first week, raising questions about the practical implementation of the program.

The Muthoni controversy occurs against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Kenya, where President Ruto’s administration faces criticism over various policy initiatives. The National Intelligence Service has been a particular point of contention, with recent controversies including disputes over land gazettement and allegations of involvement in political operations.

The timing of these allegations also coincides with ongoing debates about the transparency and effectiveness of government development programs, particularly in the housing sector where the administration has made significant policy commitments.

The public response to Muthoni’s denials has been mixed, with some social media users expressing skepticism about her explanations while others have called for an end to what they view as unnecessary harassment of a private citizen.

The controversy highlights the power of social media in shaping public discourse around government activities and the challenges faced by individuals who become inadvertent public figures through their association with political events.

As questions about Muthoni’s recurring appearances at presidential functions continue to circulate online, she maintains her position as simply a grateful citizen rather than a political operative. However, the controversy has raised broader questions about the authenticity of government program presentations and the selection criteria for featured beneficiaries.

The incident serves as a reminder of the scrutiny that accompanies high-profile government initiatives in the digital age, where citizens can quickly identify patterns and inconsistencies that might previously have gone unnoticed.

Whether Muthoni will continue to appear at future presidential events remains to be seen, but her story has already become emblematic of the ongoing debate about transparency and authenticity in government communications.

The affordable housing project itself continues to move forward, though questions about its implementation and the selection of showcased beneficiaries are likely to persist as part of the broader political discourse surrounding the Ruto administration’s development agenda.