A graphic with a quote attributed to Kenya’s deputy president William Ruto and the logo of NTV, a private TV station, has been shared on social media.
The quote, over a photo of Ruto, reads: “I have been stopped from flying to Uganda because the system believes only the children of the rich and famous can fly to foreign countries to dine with presidents. But we have God and will overcome. I am putting the tribalists and dynasties on notice that our patience has run out and we will not take any more humiliation. Let them face me openly instead of hiding behind their lowly serfs in the civil service.”
The graphic appeared online on 4 August 2021, three days after Ruto was blocked from leaving Kenya for Uganda. He and his allies had planned a private visit to the country, according to media reports.
It is not yet clear why he was not allowed to travel but he has long been reported to be at loggerheads with president Uhuru Kenyatta.
Did NTV report that Ruto said this? We checked.
No evidence for quote
Most quotes posted on social media by media houses are drawn from interviews. But we could not find any published interview with Ruto on any of Nation Media Group’s news platforms. Nation Media Group owns NTV.
On 2 August, after being stopped from leaving the country, Ruto tweeted: “Isorait … tumwachie MUNGU.” This, translated from Kiswahili, means: “It’s alright. Let's leave it to God.”
On 4 August 2021, NTV Kenya shared the graphic on Twitter but stamped it “FAKE”. There is no evidence Ruto made this statement.
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