Comedian and scriptwriter Eddie Butita recently responded to the backlash he faced for not speaking out about the Finance Bill protests in Nairobi sooner. Butita, who was with President William Ruto in the U.S. during the protests, explained his reasons for the delay and clarified his stance.
Silence Misunderstood
Many assumed Butita's silence and his trip with the president indicated support for the controversial Finance Bill. However, in an interview with Betty on August 2, Butita revealed he had opposed the bill from the beginning. He had even submitted a document expressing his concerns.
"I was against the Finance Bill long before the protests began," Butita said. "If anybody had a chance to participate in their own space in that conversation that was happening in the U.S., they would have done it because that was also my duty as a citizen of this country."
Miscommunication with Friends
Butita emphasized that his trip to the U.S. did not mean he supported the government's decisions. "Going to the U.S. doesn’t mean I have a role in the government's faults. If there are faults, they are theirs," he clarified. He also acknowledged that his relationship with President Ruto influenced how he communicated his stance. "As a friend, there is a certain way to communicate or address issues. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how much influence I had," he admitted.
Backlash and Reflection
Butita's delayed response led to misunderstandings and backlash, with about 4,000 people unsubscribing from his YouTube channel. Despite losing followers on some platforms, he gained followers on others like Instagram, TikTok, and X.
"People attack brands when they are at their lowest. I didn't commit any crime, and there was nothing I could do about the situation," Butita explained. "When people started calling and texting after my number leaked, I realized things were serious."
Apology and Moving Forward
Reflecting on the experience, Butita acknowledged the importance of timing in addressing national issues. "If anyone misunderstood my stance, I apologize. Timing is crucial when addressing matters of national importance," he concluded.
Butita has since reactivated his YouTube channel, which now has over 340,000 subscribers. Despite the challenges, he views the experience as a learning opportunity and remains committed to his beliefs
