IN SHORT: Fake newspaper front pages are increasingly circulating on Kenyan social media. One example is this cover story, falsely claiming that members of the opposition party’s alliance are being considered for cabinet positions.
An image of what appears to be the front page of the Kenyan newspaper the Star has been shared online in Kenya. It’s headlined: “Raila Odinga’s allies Tipped for Cabinet.”
The circulating page is dated 29 February 2024. It features a photo grid of Kenyan politicians who are all members of the opposition’s Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance coalition and allies of Raila Odinga.
From left to right in order of appearance are Hassan Joho, John Mbadi, Wycliffe Oparanya, Ndiritu Muriithi, Millie Odhiambo and Junet Mohamed. The strapline reads: “John Oparanya to join govt. in new Ruto-Raila deal.”
On 27 February it was reported that president William Ruto was backing Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairperson job. Ruto visited Odinga’s political stronghold in Homa Bay where he was heard telling Azimio leaders that he wanted a win-win outcome.
In politics-obsessed Kenya, Ruto’s remarks in Homa Bay could be interpreted as a potential power sharing deal or “handshake” between his government and the opposition.
This has happened before, between Odinga and Ruto’s predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.
The cover has been shared here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
But is this a legitimate front page of the Star newspaper? We checked.
Beware of ‘fake news’
On 29 February, the Star posted the circulating front page on its social media accounts with the word “fake” printed across it in red.
“Beware of FAKE news. If it's not on our official pages, it's fake! Visit the-star.co.ke for authentic news,” reads the post on the Star’s official Facebook page.
Africa Check also looked through the Star's front page archive and found a different front page for 29 February. The authentic front page headline reads: “Wage crisis: Ruto team push for 55 more female MPs.”
The front page circulating on social media is fabricated and should be ignored.
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