FAKE: Quote attributed to Kapsoit MCA Paul Chirchir on blacklisting of his companies is doctored

A viral digital card bearing The Star Newspaper logo with a quote attributed to Kapsoit Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Paul Chirchir is fake.

Kapsoit ward is in Kericho county.

The card, which has been going viral on social media, indicated that the MCA had disparaged Kericho Governor Eric Mutai over the blacklisting of companies allegedly owned by the MCA.

“My companies were awarded contracts through a competitive procurement process. It is sad to note that Gov Mutai has blacklisted all my companies and refused to pay me Sh201 M,” the quote reads.

The Fact-Checker has, however, established that the digital card is fake.

The Star digital team has denied authoring the quote and has flagged the card as fake.

“Beware of FAKE news. If it's not on our official pages, it's fake! Visit http://the-star.co.ke  for authentic news,” The Star digital tweeted.

When contacted by the fact checker on whether he had uttered the words, the MCA denied it.

“That is fake. I never said such anywhere,” he said.

This fact check was produced by The Star Newspaper with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck, African Fact-Checking Alliance Network, and the United Nations Development Program.