A headline purporting to be that of The Nairobian stating ‘Susan Kihika pregnant for Ruto’ is a fake.
The image of the fake front page has gone viral on social media.
The fake front page, allegedly published on May 27, 2022, contains the headline ‘Susan Kihika pregnant for Ruto’ together with images of Deputy President William Ruto, his wife Rachel and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika.
Under the headline, a kicker reads, "Damning Revelations: A steamy affair brewed at the DP’s Narok Ranch, a pregnancy and an almost Rachel-Kihika fist fight at the Karen residence one month ago."
A medium shot of Kihika holding a microphone and in a navy blue dress and yellow cover-up, with her belly protruding, is on the right-hand side of the page.
Ruto and Rachel's mugshots are at the bottom of the page with their faces turned towards Kihika; Rachel's eyes appear to be looking at Kihika's belly.
The Nairobian, on its official Twitter handle, flagged the page as fake and informed the public that it was a manipulated front page.
"This is NOT a genuine cover of the Nairobian weekly newspaper. It is a manipulated front page. Be cautious NOT to fall for political propaganda and deep fakes during this electioneering season. For GENUINE newspaper front pages follow StandardKenya,” read the Nairobian post.
The cover page of the May 27, 2022, Nairobian edition contained the headline "Migori opens ‘green lodge’".
With slightly over two months to the August 9 general election, the growing scale and sophistication of fake news is causing alarm in newsrooms, government agencies and among the general public.
The government launched the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee on November 4, 2021, to fight cybercrimes ahead of the general election.
During the launch, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i cautioned Kenyans against circulating fake news on social media.
He said fake news and propaganda had increased and warned that stern action would be taken against those found culpable.
“We shall start with the Kenyan who acted like CS Matiang’i and misled people that Thursday will be a public holiday to celebrate Diwali. Such people will have to face the law,” he warned.
“WATCH: The latest videos from the Star”
