Pauline Njoroge Clarifies Going Viral Over Joining Ruto For US Visit

Communication strategist and blogger, Pauline Njoroge has responded to going viral for the better part of Monday, May 20 over her status update on the coverage of President William Ruto's state visit to the United States (US), starting today.

Ruto arrived in the American nation on Monday morning for the five-day state visit at the invitation of his host and US counterpart Joe Biden, the superpower's 46th Head of State, making Ruto the first African leader in office to be invited for a state visit since 2008. This enhances Kenya's position as a key strategic player in the global arena.

"Our strategic value to the rest of the world can be articulated in different ways: Global Peace and Security whereby Kenya has played and continues to play a leading role in Peacekeeping, Peace Support and Peace Enforcement," her post on her official X and Facebook accounts read in part.

"Kenya has also been involved in regional conflict management efforts in the Horn and Great Lakes regions helping to mediate conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. Security-wise, Kenya is also a critical ally in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crimes."

Preparations for President William Ruto's state visit to the White House in Washington D.C., United States as of May 20, 2024. /PAULINE NJOROGE

According to Njoroge, diplomatically, Kenya hosts the only United Nations headquarters in the global South, with at least 20 UN agencies having offices in Nairobi, making Kenya’s capital a critical node in global multilateral diplomacy.

"Economically, Kenya is East and Central Africa's most vibrant and open economy, making us an attractive destination for trade, business and investment with many global organizations having their regional headquarters in Kenya. Geographically, Kenya is the gateway to East and Central Africa especially on matters of trade and investment to the hinterlands. This is due to geographical advantage further bolstered by the country’s most developed infrastructure in the region.

"Finally, Kenya is a model country for democracy with our democratic credentials enunciated through regular elections and peaceful transfer of power, a progressive bill of rights, functional state and governance institutions, making us a great example in the region. These, coupled with the country's well-developed human resource, security, political stability, excellence in ICT and Kenyans' unrivalled hospitality make us an attractive and irresistible player with whom the rest of the globe would want to build partnerships," she added.

Njoroge concluded her detailed post by expressing hope that as Ruto visits the US and engages with strategic institutions and key players in different sectors/industries, he will be guided by an overarching mission of leveraging Kenya's strategic offerings to extract concessions and secure partnerships beneficial to Kenyans in the economic, social, cultural, security and political facets.

The carefully constructed and detailed post however received mixed reactions from Kenyans who came forth with all manner of conspiracy theories of behind-the-scenes events leading to the short essay, some believing that she was promised a huge sum of money in exchange for her stellar communication skills.

Others thought of double standards given how Njoroge has been on the current regime's neck and notably aligned with the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalition. Last time anyone checked, she was appointed the organising secretary of the former ruling Jubilee Party, which is part of Azimio.

Not So Fast

Njoroge was forced to pen a post on Monday evening clarifying the viral statement by affirming that the needs of the country in terms of socio-economic deals and engagements matter more than her own needs and those of the opposition.

However, she asserted that she would go back to default settings once she returned to the country. Her earlier post was accompanied by a photo showing preparations at the White House for Ruto's state visit.

"Whether in UDA or Azimio, we must always remember that we share the flag. Once the Kenyan government crosses the border to engage with other governments out there, we must all join to support it, our Local political differences notwithstanding.

"We resume on that once we get back home. This has always been my conviction," she replied with a post from Arthur Vandernberg which states "Politics stops at the water's edge."

It however remains to be seen if her post and coverage of Ruto's visit will attract more eyeballs, particularly within the opposition circles and if some anti-government leaders could capitalise on her change of fortunes...for now.

Ksh500,000 Per Month

Five days ago, Njoroge distanced herself from claims that she was hired by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to his communications team, with the claims alleging that she would bring on board her vibrant political and governance know-how, which would be utilised in changing the political outlook of the deputy president for the better. 

She did previously ignite a debate when she claimed that some operatives in President Ruto's government had sought her services, promising her a monthly pay of Ksh500,000 if she jumped ship to the current regime.

President Ruto was accompanied by his wife Mama Rachel Ruto when he landed at the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia at around 6 PM Kenyan time. 

Watch his reception below: