X users trying to find a scapegoat for Remotasks closing think they’ve found the culprit

Remotasks, an online working platform where users earn by taking up tasks such as copywriting, media labelling and AI model training, is down in Kenya amid reports it is ceasing local operations.

From Tuesday, users who have tried to access the Remotasks website have been met with an error message saying “Sorry, you have been blocked. You are unable to access remotasks.com.”

Some Remotasks account holders on social media reported receiving emails last week informing them the platform is no longer accessible in the region.

Without an official communication from Remotasks, Kenyans on X are now trying to solve the puzzle on how their source of income was taken away from them.

In search of a scapegoat, a college student who was captured introducing President William Ruto to the Remotasks concept in January has received the blame.

Back in January, Brian Kipchumba, a student pursuing a diploma in ICT, sparked online debate after showing President William Ruto the website, saying it fetches him over Ksh.26,000 a week.

Kipchumba who met Ruto at Jitume ICT Laboratories in Mosop Nandi County, displayed his workbench indicating that he pocketed Ksh.40,000 after a task he did from December.

"I have been working online since December 26, 2023, until now. As you can see, the total amount of money I have earned is US$284 (Ksh45,000). Minus the taxes, you get, like Ksh40,000," Kipchumba told a thrilled Ruto.

"I can confirm to Kenyans through my account that whatever you have been saying is a reality. I can say that online jobs pay well," Kipchumba asserted.

Even back then, Kipchumba's revelation was met with much derision from the public with many attacking him for sharing the information with the President without considering implications.

On January 17, tech expert Kachwanya berated Kipchumba on X, writing, "Online jobs are seasonal, there are some good days and there are some bad days, there are some great weeks and there are some worse weeks."

"But sometimes people want to show that they are doing well and pick their best days to impress people in the authority like the President here. Unknown to the young man is, the take away for President is most likely; "Oooh there is a lot of money there, how can the Government get big part of it".

Two months later, Remotasks abruptly blocked access for users in Kenya amid reports of pulling out from the country.

Just like in January, Kenyans on X are on Kipchumba's neck, solely blaming him for Remotask's departure from Kenya.

X influencer Bravin Yuri said, "Another day for Brian Kipchumba from Taptengelei to have a field day. This one knew very well that Remotask does not allow VPNs and went on TV and showed the King of Hustlers how they are making ends meet. See his life. Remotask gone!"

Goddie_Ke, another X commentator also chimed in, blaming Brian Kipchumba for blowing the lid on Remotask's presence in Kenya.

"I hope Brian Kipchumba and others are learning. Some people are not the kind of persons you trust with everything. During his speech in an international platform, he went ahead to brag about Kenyan youths earning through computers, ignorant of the fact that Remotask wasn't even legally operating in the country!" he said.

"These are some of the reasons people do not share or disclose opportunities, juu the moment it spreads, mshamwaga unga..."

On her part, user Dorothy Wanjiru said, "This young boy could have just gone about his business silently instead of trying to impress the Head of State and jeopardising the incomes of thousands of young Kenyans. Now, not only has he disenfranchised his fellow youth, he has rendered himself jobless too! Let's see whether State House will remember him at this time of sorrow!"

Remotasks website is operated by Scale AI, Inc., a major player in the global e-commerce solutions industry.