This tweet contains an image that supposedly shows people demonstrating. The tweet claims that the people are holding “peaceful demonstrations in Eldoret because of the high cost of living”. The tweet further suggests that “Kenya’s already tired with William Ruto’s administration”.
Background
Prior to the 2022 general elections, Kenyans were burdened with the high cost of living. Things have not eased up and seem to be worsening with the increase in cost of fuel and electricity, even as the government withdrew the maize flour subsidy. A section of Kenyans has blamed the new Ruto- Gachagua administration for the increase in the cost of fuel with Gachagua calling for patience for their administration to ease the situation.
Verification
A reverse search of the image shows that it has only been shared on two Twitter accounts.
There were demonstrations in Eldoret on September 15, 2022 but not over the high cost of living as alluded to by the tweet. The demonstrations were held by youth decrying the loss of their money to a recruitment agency that had promised them jobs in Qatar.
Piga Firimbi identified the location of the demonstration to be along Oloo Street in Eldoret. In the background is the National Bank, Eldoret branch along Oloo street. The location where the picture was taken is less than a kilometer from the County Commissioners’ office, also along Oloo Street, where the youth took their complaints.
Piga Firimbi reached out to a reporter at Nation Media Eldoret bureau who confirmed that the demonstrations were not over the high cost of living as alleged but due to youths who had allegedly lost money to a recruiting agency.
Verdict
The claim that there were demonstrations in Eldoret over the high cost of living is FALSE.
This fact-check was produced by Africa Uncensored with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck, African Fact Checking Alliance network and the United Nations Development Programme.
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