This digital card containing the NTV logo claims to announce an alleged appointment of former Nairobi Deputy Governor, Polycarp Igathe as CEO of the Rubis company, Kenya.
The claim that widely circulated on Twitter further alleged that Polycarp Igathe would apparently be replacing Rubis CEO Jean Bergeron who was reportedly deported over fuel crises.
Background
Fuel has been a subject of much contention lately, after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on March 14, 2022 announced a hike in fuel prices. This was shortly followed by a shortage, which according to Energy Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma, is caused by hoarding of fuel by some oil marketing companies who anticipate a further increase in prices, from which they would reap higher profits by hoarding.
Fuel prices were again revised upwards on April 14. In Nairobi, Super petrol currently retails at Kshs. 144.62 a litre, Diesel at Kshs. 125. 50 and Kerosene at Kshs. 113. 44.
In a recent fact-check by Piga Firimbi here, Deputy President William Ruto falsely claimed that fuel is cheaper in Uganda than in Kenya.
Verification
In a tweet published on NTV’s official account on April 16, 2022, the media company denounced information on the digital card as fake news, stating that it did not emanate from them.
FAKE NEWS ALERT!
Please be advised that the news circulating on social media alleging that Polycarp Igathe is the new Rubis CEO is Fake and didn't emanate from NTV Kenya. pic.twitter.com/19SlHUTvfY
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 16, 2022
Nonetheless, in a more recent press release issued by Rubis on April 14, 2022, the oil company that is headquartered in Paris, listed Jean-Christian Bergeron as the Rubis Energy Kenya CEO.
There is no official statement from Rubis, indicating that Polycarp Igathe is the new CEO. Another press statement from Rubis in fact looks to clarify that CEO Jean-Christian Bergeron, had “upon consultation” traveled to Paris, “to provide a full brief on the situation in Kenya.”
Verdict
The digital card purporting to announce Polycarp Igathe’s appointment as the new CEO at Rubis fuel company is FAKE.
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