This clip uploaded on TikTok claims to show former US First Lady Michelle Obama unveiling a portrait of Martha Karua.
Background
On May 16, 2022, Azimio One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga unveiled Martha Karua as his running mate. Women in leadership applauded Raila on his choice.
This announcement was followed by fake congratulatory messages purportedly from other women in leadership on a global scale. Piga Firimbi debunked claims that US Deputy President Kamala Harris and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu congratulated Karua on Twitter.
Verification
The original clip was shared by CNN on their YouTube channel on February 12, 2018 years before Raila chose Karua to deputise him in the August 9, 2022 elections.
On February 12, 2018, President Obama unveiled his portrait made by New York based artist Kehinde Wiley, at The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. In a similar case, an altered clip falsely showed him unveiling a portrait of Deputy President William Ruto as debunked by Piga Firimbi here.
Former US first lady Michelle Obama’s portrait was also unveiled on the same day though done by different artists.
Dr. David J Skorton, who was the secretary of The Smithsonian at the time, calls on Amy Sherald, an artist from Baltimore and former First Lady Michelle Obama to unveil the portrait of Michelle Obama. He does not mention Martha Karua in his speech.
Verdict
The clip claiming to show the former US First Lady unveiling a portrait of Martha Karua is FAKE.
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