These graphics, attributed to various media houses in Kenya, claim retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged his support for Jakaya Kikwete’s candidacy for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The publications used as conduits for these allegations are People Daily, The Standard, Kenyans.co.ke, Tuko, The Star, and Citizen Digital.
Additionally, an image allegedly showing Uhuru Kenyatta, Jakaya Kikwete, and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu posing together after a meeting, was also circulated on X (formerly Twitter).
Background
On February 15, 2024, opposition leader Raila Odinga officially announced his candidacy for the African Union Commission Chairmanship. His bid was immediately endorsed by the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo. Samia Suluhu, Paul Kagame, Salva Kiir, Cyril Ramaphosa, Felix Tshisekedi, Yoweri Museveni, and William Ruto have also endorsed Odinga’s bid.
Verification
All the implicated publications: The Standard, The Star, People Daily, Kenyans.co.ke, and Citizen Digital did not post the graphic on their official accounts on X.
The Standard, The Star, and People Daily dismissed the graphics as fake, warning the public to be cautious not to fall for propaganda and deep fakes.
The purported image depicting Uhuru Kenyatta, Jakaya Kikwete, and Samia Suluhu posing together after a meeting has been manipulated. A Google reverse image search reveals the original image, captured on February 22, 2024, only includes Uhuru Kenyatta and Samia Suluhu. Jakaya Kikwete was photoshopped into the image.
Verdict
The graphics attributed to the media houses are FAKE and the image depicting Uhuru Kenyatta, Jakaya Kikwete, and Samia Suluhu posing together after a meeting has been ALTERED.
Add comment