This post on X (formerly Twitter) claims Maryanne Keitany owns the company behind the fake fertilizer scandal. Attached to the post is a column, allegedly published by The Star claiming that she resorted to these measures due to her vendetta against Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and President William Ruto.
Another post shared on the same platform claims that Africa Uncensored will release part 3 of their investigation into counterfeit fertilizer titled ‘Fertile Deception,’ revealing further details of Keitany’s alleged involvement.
Images with the claim as shared on X
Background
Maryann Keitany, previously the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Deputy President, currently serves as the Member of Parliament for Aldai Constituency. She held the position of Chief of Staff during William Ruto’s tenure as Deputy President but took a step back in 2015 following her implication in several corruption cases. In the past, Keitany also had a romantic relationship with Mithika Linturi, which sparked bitter legal conflicts ultimately resulting in Keitany’s eviction from Linturi’s property in Runda.
Allegations regarding Keitany’s implication in the fake fertilizer scandal surfaced following Africa Uncensored’s two-part investigation into the sale of counterfeit subsidized fertilizer to unsuspecting farmers. These accusations, associating Keitany with the scandal, circulated in a coordinated campaign with the hashtag #KeitanySCREWLinturi.
An account making claim using the manipulated Fertile Deception graphic
Verification
The column was not published on The Star’s official X and Facebook accounts. The Star dismissed the column as fake, redirecting the audience to their website to get the real stories in the April 12, 2024 issue.
Verdict
Claims that The Star and Africa Uncensored published material that implicates Maryanne Keitany in the fake fertilizer scandal are FALSE.
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