US Embassy Denounces Statement Claiming Ruto Met Al Shabaab

The United States Embassy in Nairobi on Friday, February 14, flagged as fake a press release regarding an alleged meeting between President William Ruto and the leadership of the nefarious terror group, Al Shabaab.

The Embassy, through its official social media channels, clarified that the letter attributed to it was not authentic. As a result, Kenyans were urged to disregard the fake document.

Notably, the Embassy's statement followed the circulation of the letter by some online users on social media.

In the flagged letter, the Embassy revealed that the US government learned with grave concern and profound disappointment of reports that President Ruto had secretly engaged in discussions with the leadership of Al-Shabaab, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization responsible for the deaths of countless innocent civilians, including American citizens.

In this 2010 file photo, Al-Shabaab fighters display weapons as they conduct military exercises in northern Mogadishu, Somalia. /CNN

"This action is not only deeply troubling but also represents a blatant disregard for the shared values of peace, security, and the rule of law that underpin the longstanding partnership between the United States and Kenya," the fake letter read in part.

The letter added that the US government had condemned in the strongest possible terms any engagement with Al-Shabaab, a group that continues to perpetrate violence, destabilize the region, and threaten the lives of Americans, Kenyans, and people across East Africa.

It termed such actions as incompatible with the fight against terrorism and undermined the collective efforts of the international community to combat this global threat.

The fake letter went on to claim that the reported meeting raised serious questions about Kenya's commitment to regional security and its adherence to international counterterrorism principles. 

"The United States has been a steadfast partner to Kenya in its efforts to combat terrorism and promote stability in the region. However, any cooperation with Al-Shabaab, directly or indirectly, is unacceptable and will have severe consequences for the bilateral relationship between our two nations," added the fake letter.

The now-dismissed reports of the meeting were seen as a bizarre move considering the immense damage and loss of life the terrorist group has brought to the country.

Since emerging in the late 2000s, Al Shabaab has orchestrated numerous terrorist attacks in Kenya and the broader East African region, often with devastating consequences.

In Kenya, the group has carried out four major attacks, leading to over 250 deaths and leaving many others injured or traumatized.

One of the most significant incidents was the 2013 Westgate Mall attack, which claimed 67 lives and deeply shook the nation. During the assault, the militants held the mall under siege for nearly three days.

Other notable attacks include the 2019 Dusit D2 Hotel attack, which left 14 people dead, the 2014 Lamu/Mpeketoni attacks that claimed 48 lives, and the 2015 Garissa University attack, which resulted in 148 fatalities.

Additionally, the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi, carried out by Al-Qaeda, caused significant loss of life.

How to Verify Information

Kenyans can verify authentic communication from the US Embassy on their social media pages that are verified. Important communication is usually shared on the Embassy's website - https://ke.usembassy.gov/.

These tips can also be used to verify information shared by other organisations and government institutions.