•It noted: “The Kenyan Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission might not have called the election results when this was Tweeted.”
Twitter has flagged posts of top Kenyan leaders over misinformation about the Kenyan General Election.
Twitter flagged posts seen as potentially misleading in regards to the tallying and counting of votes which is taking place at the Bomas of Kenya.
The feature appeared as a warning below the tweets in question.
It noted: “The Kenyan Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission might not have called the election results when this was Tweeted.”
Users allied to Kenya Kwanza and the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition party were flagged.
They include Azimio running mate Martha Karua, ODM party Secretary-General and Nairobi senatorial candidate Edwin Sifuna.
Others are; Blogger Dennis Itumbi, as well as lawyers Ahmednasir Abdullahi and lawyer Miguna Miguna.
Congrats @WanguiNgirici your win is of great significance #kenyaelections2022
— Martha Karua SC (@MarthaKarua) August 11, 2022
99% of the forms REPORTING
— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) August 11, 2022
45,750 forms out of 46,233
WSR: 7,106,748
RAO: 6,870,784
HNIB Projections confirmed.
I Call it for WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO@WilliamsRuto
Based on an accurate tabulation of all form 34As, @WilliamsRuto has won. Patriots must ensure that the NIS agents don't intercept the physical forms and alter them. All forms must be delivered in OPEN SPACES at BOMAS, displayed and tallied TRANSPARENTLY. Not inside rooms.
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) August 10, 2022
97% forms in. Baba the 5th! pic.twitter.com/upR2ZWxHF0
— Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) August 10, 2022
The delay in the release of the presidential results has fuelled disinformation among Kenyans.
As anxiety rises on who has won, most people put fake news either to assure them or assure the supporters of their chosen leader.
Some posted unverified claims on social media regarding the conduct of the election while announcing victory for their preferred candidates.
However, Twitter manages the risk of public harm in many ways.
People who repeatedly violate Twitter policies may be subject to temporary or permanent suspensions.
Depending on the potential for offline harm, Twitter limits the amplification of misleading content or removes it from Twitter if offline consequences could be immediate and severe.
In other situations, Twitter aims to inform and contextualise by sharing timely information or credible content from third-party sources.