Ruto’s Chapati Remarks Spark AI-Generated Images and Online Frenzy

Kenyan social media erupted into a storm of memes, debates, and AI-generated images after President William Ruto pledged to buy a machine capable of making one million chapatis for Nairobi County. The announcement, made on Tuesday, March 11, came in response to Governor Johnson Sakaja’s request to support the county’s Dishi na County school feeding program.

The Chapati Pledge

Speaking at St. Teresa’s Girls Secondary in Mathare, Nairobi, Ruto instructed Governor Sakaja to find a supplier for the machine, responding to student requests to have chapati added to their school menu.

“I have accepted the request to buy a chapatti-making machine, therefore, I ask the governor to source for a supplier,” Ruto remarked.

However, the statement quickly took a life of its own on social media, with Kenyans diving deep into the logistics, costs, and implications of such a machine.

AI and Memes Take Over

As soon as Ruto’s remarks went viral, internet users got creative. Some calculated the cost of making one million chapatis daily, while others questioned the feasibility of the project. However, what truly stole the show was the flood of AI-generated images and videos imagining the large-scale production of chapatis.

From futuristic factories churning out golden brown chapatis to exaggerated stacks of flatbreads towering over Nairobi’s skyline, AI tools were used to bring wild visual representations of the president’s promise to life.

Social Media Reactions

Kenyan netizens reacted in different ways, with some finding humor in the situation while others questioned its significance amid pressing national issues.

• @_Jmaes041: “It’s rainy season and instead of working on the drainage system, they are talking about chapati. Black people with black hearts.”
• @Chapatimistress: “Today the enemy is that machine. Niko rehearsals.”
• @Obrahtrades: “Ametenga chapati milioni moja, this guy is a joke.”
• @Moha_souz: “Hio chapati itoke Mandera ipitie Kotulo iende Wajir ipitie Modogashe iende Isiolo ipitie Nanyuki ikuje hapa Nairobi kwa Sakaja.”
• @Tl_chaos: “Out of all the things going awfully wrong in this country, someone occupying the highest office in the land wakes up and says, ‘Naah, these people need chapati.’”
• @FrankoTover: “What is the ‘chapati vibe’ distracting us from?”
• @Sly Ogoye: “Why would you out of nowhere think of bringing a chapati machine when you could use that money to buy oncology machines?”

Is This a Distraction?

Some Kenyans speculated whether the chapati conversation was a diversion from more critical national issues, with debates emerging on whether the funds could be better allocated elsewhere. Others, however, appreciated the initiative, arguing that providing meals for school children was a step in the right direction.

Regardless of the differing opinions, the chapati saga has once again demonstrated Kenyans’ unique ability to turn political discourse into humor, satire, and AI-powered creativity.

In other news:Uasin Gishu: Man Arrested for Setting Up Fake Police Patrol Base in Bold Deception

Ruto’s Chapati Remarks Spark AI-Generated Images and Online Frenzy