Photos shared on Twitter here, here, here and here, as well as here, here and here on Facebook, are claimed to have allegedly been taken at a meeting between President William Ruto and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga on April 2, 2023.
These claims began circulating after President Ruto and Raila Odinga issued statements regarding the recent nationwide demonstrations led by the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader.
Background
Three rounds of protests were witnessed in parts of Kenya after Raila Odinga announced weekly anti-government demonstrations that began on March 20, 2023. The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition cited the high cost of living, electoral injustice and an audit of election servers as reasons for the demonstrations.
The announcement saw crowds of supporters attending the protests in Nairobi, Kisumu and Migori with some turning violent leading to the death of protesters. According to Inspector General Japheth Koome, one police officer was killed and 20 injured during the violence in the protests.
Raila Odinga however called off the demonstrations after President Ruto extended an olive branch on April 2, 2023. “We acknowledge Mr Ruto’s olive branch for a dialogue on key issues raised by Azimio La Umoja. To us, this is a positive development.” Mr Odinga said.
Verification
A reverse image search of the image reveals that the image was first shared on March 20, 2020, by blogger Dennis Itumbi on his official Twitter account. The picture was taken inside the home of Raphael Tuju when then Deputy President William Ruto and Raila Odinga visited Raphael Tuju while recuperating after a car accident earlier that year.
The images were also published in an article by The Star published on March 20, 2020. See screen grab below.
Verdict
Claims that the image was taken at a meeting between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga on April 2, 2023, are MISLEADING.
This fact-check was edited by Piga Firimbi Fact-Checking Editor Linda Ngari.
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