A photoshopped image of Deputy President William Ruto's potrait got Kenyans talking on Saturday, August 1, at the incredulity of such an offending potrait being presented in a public forum.
An additional potrait of Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi would also attract a set of reactions as the representation of the vocal legislator on canvas was said to be underwhelming despite others arguing it was a creative expression.
The two portraits were presented to Sudi by a youth group from the Nyanza region on Saturday at the home of the Kapseret MP, in what was meant to signal the support for DP Ruto's 2022 bid.
The group vowed to throw their weight behind Deputy President William Ruto and shared with Sudi the issues affecting people of the Nyanza region.
The group presented Sudi with his portrait and another of Ruto who was depicted dressed in military regalia complete with a cap.
The photo had a tag of Commander in Chief on Ruto's right shirt pocket and his name on the opposite side similar to when President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Archers Post, in Samburu County back in 2014. This sparked debate online on whether such imagery could be construed as treasonous or an expression of hope for Ruto's suporters.
A photoshopped verion of Ruto's image soon emerged after the images were posted online with Ruto's face replaced by an animal and his trademark 'Kenya' cap included.
Kenyans.co.ke established that the photo was doctored with the original one presented by the group having Ruto clearly painted.
Manipulation of images of politicians to send political messages or malign rival political actors is a tactic that has gained momentum of the years, with impressionable social media audiences taking the bait oftentimes.
Sudi's potrait attracted humuor online with many arguing that he could have been better represented.
"Oscar Sudi is that one funny guy.....Maybe he drew himself and gave the portrait to the youths to present it to him," claimed one Twitter user.
"My good friend Oscar Sudi was openly robbed by my Team Nyanza in Eldoret. We have talented artists but this one is just a joker. However, it's good to uplift him. This is absolutely ridiculous," read another tweet.
