Kenyan President William Ruto has once again been the target of public ridicule after stating a brazen pledge to provide one million chapatis per day to poor households. While the pledge was likely intended to underscore his administration’s commitment to ending food insecurity, Kenyans were quick to question its feasibility and they did so with their customary wit and sarcasm.
To the vow, however, many Kenyans have teasingly referred to the president El Chapo, named after infamous Mexican kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The term is apparently half-fun, half-anger, with people drawing a correlation between the ostentatious promise and perception of leaders saying gargantuan but impossible things.
The instant Ruto’s one-million chapati project hit the headlines, Kenyan social media users were not slow to raise an eyebrow. Most of them took to social media platforms like Twitter (X) and Facebook to mock the promise, questioning how the government intends to fund and implement such a project at a time when the country is already experiencing economic challenges.
A user jested, *”First 100 days to cut the cost of living, then a bottom-up economy, now a chapati revolution. Next comedy special coming up.”* Another joked, *”Are these chapatis gonna be airlifted every day, or shall they be encountered in dreams like Hustler Fund millions?”*
Others noted the irony between the oath and the current high cost of flour and other staple foodstuffs. Barely any citizens who were struggling to cover their basic needs found the proposal callous to the harsh realities of their plight.
While the purpose for making the promise may have been to ease the burden of hunger in Kenya, critics are quick to point out that such publicized promises do not go towards addressing the root causes of food insecurity. Instead of dispensing short-term handouts, the majority of Kenyans believe that the government must be acting towards long-term solutions like reducing the cost of production, improving agricultural policies, and addressing inflation.
The nickname “El Chapo” while meant in a playful way conceals a message: Kenyans are growing weary of flashy promises that never turn into concrete, lasting solutions. Whether this new concept will materialize or vanish into thin air like previous political promises remains to be seen.
President Ruto’s administration has been increasingly criticized for the rising cost of living, shattered campaign promises, and polarizing tax policies. The one-million chapatis promise, instead of gaining popularity, seems to have undermined further the confidence of Kenyans, cementing the view that the government is more interested in political theatrics than pragmatism.
While Kenyans continue under economic pressures, they are getting tired of such promises. This latest backlash on promises is not so much about chapatis it’s reflective of broader issues with governance, accountability, and wanting real change.
For now, “El Chapo” is all the rage, and if history is any guide, Kenyans will not be forgetting this nickname anytime soon.
El Chapo or El Chapati? Kenyans Troll Ruto Over Unrealistic Food Promise
