Abel Mutua Defends Influencers Partnering With Government, Urges Kenyans To Make Own Political Choices

Kenyan filmmaker and storyteller Abel Mutua has pushed back against the ongoing backlash targeting content creators who align with the government, arguing that citizens—not social media personalities—should take ownership of their own political choices.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Mutua emphasized that influencers reserve the right to support any political faction without being vilified. He urged the public to rely on personal experience rather than celebrity endorsement when forming political opinions.

“Why are you letting an influencer make decisions for you? You know where the shoe pinches; you make the decisions,” Mutua stated.

Mutua questioned the public outrage directed at creators working alongside President William Ruto’s administration, pointing out that interacting with or being employed by the government is common across many sectors.

“Why castigate someone for influencing for the government, yet everybody else is working for the government in some way?” he posed, adding: “Wewe fanya kazi yako na unyamaze.”

He also challenged the tendency of citizens to celebrate political leaders for simply fulfilling standard duty requirements, asking, “Why are we clapping for you for doing what you are supposed to do?”

Growing Rift Over Influencer Neutrality

Mutua’s comments arrive at a time of heightened tension on Kenyan social media, where audiences are increasingly auditing the political affiliations of public figures. Content creators perceived as pro-government have faced online boycotts, backlash, and accusations of being “sellouts.”

Addressing his own evolving stance on public commentary, Mutua noted that creators often feel trapped by audience expectations to echo popular sentiment rather than express authentic views.

“Nilifika mahali nikajiambia hapana, content creators tumewekwa kwa corner fulani yenye you must tell people what they want to hear and not your opinion, go with the flow,” he reflected. “Lakini ukishaingia age yengine kama sisi you come to discover that is nonsense—tell people what they need to hear.”

His stance has further polarized the conversation around digital creators in Kenya, highlighting a sharp divide over whether public figures carry an ethical obligation to align with public sentiment or remain free to monetize and express their individual political choices.