An image posted on pro-opposition accounts like Azimio TV here and ODM’s Director of Communications Twitter account here, claims to show a police officer allegedly masquerading as a journalist. This claim was widely circulated as it was also reshared on prominent accounts such as politician, Alinur Mohamed’s here and a verified account here.
Background
Africa Uncensored established that during the opposition-led demonstrations on July 20, 2023, some officers indeed masqueraded as journalists. According to a statement from Amnesty International, the nationwide protests from July 20 alone led to the death of 30 people in different parts of the country.
Verification
This clip reveals that plain-clothed police officers disguised themselves so as to arrest protesters. The clip shows a man in a maroon-ish shirt. Almost the same colour as the man in the image circulated on pro-opposition accounts. However, the two images are from unrelated events. Most importantly the two images show different men.
The individual seen jumping off a police car is Clint Obere, a cameraman at Africa Uncensored, and an accredited journalist with the Media Council of Kenya. The image is from March 27, 2023 when Africa Uncensored journalists Calvin Rock and Clint Obere were arrested while covering similar opposition-led demonstrations in Mathare, Nairobi County. In this footage, police threatened to charge them with allegedly assembling people. Images from their arrest were shared on this thread.
Verdict
The posts claiming to show a police officer disguised as a journalist are MISLEADING. Such misinformation poses a threat to the safety of the journalist.
This fact-check was edited by Piga Firimbi Fact-Checking Editor Linda Ngari.
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