Let’s talk about this photo. The main reason I would like us to talk about it is because it has been trending, with many people analyzing the body language between President William Ruto and Governor Mutula, particularly how the President greeted him without making eye contact.

First things first, I want to address photographers. Politics is a game of perception, and in this digital era, photographers control nearly 80% of the political narrative through their lenses.

One photo can change everything. A single frame can make or break a political moment. Presidential photographers like Tevin Kitheka, Shalom Kyalo, Mc Daudi Baraka and others understand exactly what I mean. One shot can define a day’s story.

Now, back to this photo. Those who watched the full video of President Ruto’s arrival at Konza know the reality was very different. The President was in high spirits. His body language was warm, and the first person he made cheerful eye contact with after stepping out of the military chopper was Governor Mutula himself.

But this photo captures a completely different mood, simply because it was taken when the President was turning to greet the next person. I’m not blaming the photographer, I know they take hundreds of shots, and not all see the light of day. My concern is with whoever approved this particular one for public release.

That’s the power of photography and digital media. A single image can distort reality and shape public perception, and once it does, no amount of explanation can undo the impression.

But that’s politics for you.

I will leave it at that.