1.Kenya Red Cross has warned members of the public about a fake post on internship and job opportunities. Through their twitter handle the organisation said they only advertise their jobs on their website.
2.Miguna Miguna headed to Zimbabwe: He is alleged to be the one to swear in Zimbabwe’s Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa as the people’s president. The article doesn’t give details of Miguna’s participation in the alleged event; instead it narrates his participation in the swearing in of Raila Odinga.
3.The title of the video clip alleges Interior CS Matiang`i issued a statement on how security will be tightened. However, the headline does not relate to the content of the video on alleging Matiangi`s directives.
4.A human pig? Allegations of a pig giving birth to a human-like piglet were reported online. There are many versions of the story. Some reports claim the case was reported in Murang`a while others claim it was in Kakamega. A Google reverse image shows it was flagged as fake.
5.Mudavadi and Kalonzo to benefit! The blog alleges President Uhuru Kenyatta is planning to give Raila Odinga five Cabinet slots in the much-rumoured reshuffle. The article does not give any evidence to corroborate the claim. Both the Uhuru and Raila have slammed the claims of an impending reshuffle in government.
6.A letter shared online claims a possible county staff strike in Nairobi. However, Nairobi Governor Mbuvi Sonko has refuted the claims stating the letter was fake.
7.Uhuru: Kanze is a disappointment. This online article said President Uhuru Kenyatta is upset with the new State house spokesperson just like he is with Sports CS Rashid Achesa. The claims are baseless.
8.An article alleges some Jubilee MPs have revealed details of what was discussed by DP William Ruto with Mt Kenya leaders. The article does not attribute the information to any source. It is mere speculation.
9.An article claims Laikipia Woman Rep Waruguru has advised Kikuyu women to dump their “useless men” and go for Kalenjin men. But the headline does not relate to the content of the story.
10.Reports online claimed that Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua was arrested by EACC detectives. The claims were false because, at the time, Governor Mutua was attending a memorial service for his former advisor in Nairobi.
VIEWPOINT
Listening to the interesting, indeed passionate, discussions of the role of journalists, Yash realised how so many of us overlook the importance of journalists — and media in general — in the development of our perceptions of the state and society, and politics in particular.
YASH PALL GHAI and JILL CONTRELL GHAI, directors of Katiba Institute
