Treasury PS Kiptoo dismisses reports linking him to Ksh.120M 'spying' software for Ruto

Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has dismissed reports linking him to an alleged government-backed scheme to acquire an online propaganda platform aimed at countering criticism of President William Ruto's administration and supporting his re-election bid.

This follows a report by the Daily Nation on Tuesday that linked Kiptoo, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the Attorney General, President Ruto's Speech Writer Eric Ng'eno, and Health sector entrepeneur Jayesh Saini to the supposed plot.

According to the report, a case filed at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday revealed the alleged plot following a disagreement between President Ruto's acolytes and the owners of the Ksh.120 million (USD 923,346) software.

The case, filed by Mary Wachuka Maina, a dual Kenyan and Canadian citizen, outlines how public funds were allegedly withdrawn to source the technological solution.

The software, developed by her company Jipe Inc., was designed to manage the President and his deputy’s social media platforms, monitor opposition figures, and even influence public sentiment through psychometric profiling.

Court documents add that the deal was drawn up on November 7, 2023 at a restaurant in Kilimani with Ng'eno directing Wacuka to immediately commence with the venture.

No legal contract was signed but Ng'eno allegedly claimed that he would reach out to senior government officials to finance the project.

On November 22, Wacuka, Ng'eno and Saini reportedly met in Nairobi where the developer was allegedly informed that the health sector entrepreneur would supervise the project.

On December 17, Ng'eno allegedly reached out to Wacuka informing her that he had touched base with President Ruto who pledged to commission finances for the project on December 18.

Subsequently, on December 20, Wacuka sub-contracted an American firm Texos to help her with the project, paying an initial Ksh.60 million (USD 460,000) for their services

"There was USD 12,000 (Ksh.5 million) per week for delayed payments for the project. Under the agreement, 60 percent of the contract sum that is Ksh.36 million (USD 276,000) was due as a down payment on January 31, 2024, while 40 percent, USD 184,000 (Ksh.24 million) was due on delivery of the software on February 28," the Nation report reads.

Wacuka is now seeking over Ksh.172 million compensation for a breach of contract as she had to cover the initial fee and pay Ksh.122 million in fines to Texos after the government allegedly failed to keep its end of the bargain. She also alleges harassment and threats by government officials.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Kiptoo expressed surprise at the allegations labeling the report as inaccurate and misleading.

"These allegations are absolutely unfounded. First, I wish to state plainly that I have never met or interacted with Ms. Mary Wachuka Maina, the individual alleged to have filed a lawsuit on this matter," he said.

"I have no knowledge of her claims or of any plans by the government to procure the equipment described. Second, the article claims that ‘confidential accounts’ exist within the National Treasury, from which funds would allegedly be allocated for the purported scheme. This is entirely untrue. No such accounts exist, and the operations of the National Treasury are governed by strict legal and regulatory frameworks."

Further, the PS slammed the local daily's decision to place his photograph on its front page alongside what he terms an unsubstantiated story, further demanding a retraction of the piece.

"By doing so, the newspaper has defamed me by implication, creating a false association between myself and the allegations. Even the article reportedly confirms that no formal agreement was reached with Ms. Mains, further underscoring the speculative and baseless nature of the claims," he said.

"Should the newspaper fail to take corrective action, I reserve the right to pursue all legal remedies available to protect my name. I call on all media outlets to uphold the highest journalistic standards, as enshrined in the Media Council Act and the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya."