
By Vincent Ng’ethe
Kenya’s August 2022 election has seen a surge of false information. Manipulated images and videos are being shared on social media.
The disinformation permeates encrypted networks like Whatsapp and Telegram, in addition to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, where content posted is visible to the public.
The screenshot of a purported Facebook post by the President of the Kenya Editors Guild has been circulating on WhatsApp. In it, Mr Churchill Otieno apparently announces that Kenya’s media watchdog, the Media Council of Kenya, is investigating a journalist from Inooro TV.
“This comes after MCK received reports that Inooro TV reporter Waweru wa Nyambura doubles up as the communications director for UDA running mate Rigathi Gachagua” the post read in part (Full disclosure: this fact-checking desk is run by the Kenya Editors Guild).
The screenshot is fake. Mr Otieno tweeted a copy of the screenshot with the word “FAKE” splashed on it in red. “Very fake. Shindwe!” he wrote.
UPDATE: The Media Council of Kenya told the KEG Fact-Checking Desk there was no investigation of the reporter mentioned.