Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has responded to reports alleging that an organised social media campaign was created to promote his ministry’s position on electricity tariffs.
Wandayi said he had been made aware of the reports but questioned the evidence linking the alleged online activity to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum or its officials.
“My attention has been drawn to some unverified report alleging the creation of some activity in social media that is purported to have been in praise of the actions of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum regarding electricity tariffs,” Wandayi said.
He noted that the report did not identify the particular actor behind the alleged activity, arguing that social media platforms host millions of anonymous and coordinated accounts promoting different narratives.
“There are probably millions of anonymous and coordinated accounts on social media pushing different narratives every day. What matters is evidence,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
His remarks came after a report linked an alleged Kenya-based operation to the use of artificial intelligence to generate political content on social media.
The report said AI-generated posts were used to amplify narratives praising Wandayi over the government’s handling of electricity tariffs, while other content allegedly targeted political opponents and sought to influence public debate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
However, Wandayi stressed that the findings did not establish a direct connection between the alleged campaign and the ministry.
“The report itself does not establish that either the Cabinet Secretary or the Ministry authorised, directed, or otherwise participated in the alleged activity,” he said.
The Energy CS maintained that the ministry would continue communicating its programmes and policies through official and credible channels.
“We remain focused on communicating the Ministry’s work through credible channels and will not be distracted by speculation around anonymous online activities,” Wandayi added.
The allegations have renewed attention on the growing use of artificial intelligence in political communication and social media campaigns.
AI tools can generate large volumes of content within a short period, raising concerns about coordinated influence operations and the difficulty of distinguishing genuine public opinion from artificially amplified narratives.
Wandayi’s response places emphasis on evidence and attribution, while distancing both himself and the Energy Ministry from the alleged social media activity.