Former Kenyan political aspirant Miguna Miguna shared an image here on his official Twitter account on March 16, 2023, claiming that it shows a man working for Azimio Leader Raila Odinga damaging a road in Siaya County. The image later went viral and was posted here, here, here, and here. Miguna Miguna’s post garnered over 446,000 impressions at the time this fact-check was published.
Piga Firimbi previously debunked a false claim by Miguna Miguna associated with the Azimio La Umoja protests.
Background
Azimio La Umoja Party leader Raila Odinga declared the commencement of a series of countrywide mass actions against the Kenya Kwanza Government on March 9, 2023. Odinga faults the Ruto Administration for failing to address the rising cost of living. He caused a stir among Kenyans after he declared March 20, 2023, a public holiday meant for protests.
“We do not want any kind of violence or bloodshed. It is going to be peaceful and I have also said that we do not want any handshake. We are only doing this because it is the only alternative that we have,” he said. While some of his supporters support the declaration, some ODM Members of Parliament said that they will not be attending the rallies.
Verification
A reverse image search reveals that the image was taken in South Africa on September 22, 2020, in eBhovini, South Africa, as shared here by South African social activist Yusuf Abramjee on Twitter. “eBhovini, between Pomeroy and Dundee KZN. Protestors are damaging the road – demanding service delivery,” the post reads.
An article on News24, a news outlet in South Africa, clarifies that the residents were protesting the lack of water and electricity in the community. See the screen grab below.
Africa Check also previously debunked a false claim featuring the image here.
Verdict
Claims that the image shows Kenyan youths apparently paid by Raila Odinga to destroy roads in Siaya are FALSE.
This fact-check was edited by Piga Firimbi Fact-Checking Editor Linda Ngari.
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