IN SHORT: A statement dated 1 August 2023 appears to be from the ruling United Democratic Alliance party. In it, the party supposedly expresses concern about the misappropriation of funds following a fatal accident in Londiani. But the document is fake.
On 30 June 2023, 52 people were killed and at least 30 others injured when a lorry carrying shipping containers lost control and crashed into several vehicles, pedestrians and market traders on a road in Londiani, Kericho county, Kenya.
On 4 July, deputy president Rigathi Gachagua helped raise funds for the victims. But documents allegedly showing the diversion of more than KSh8.7 million (about US$60,000) recently surfaced, bringing the county back under the spotlight.
A document that appears to show Kenya's ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party asking Kericho governor Erick Mutai to “clear the air” on the issue has been shared on Facebook.
The document appears to be a UDA statement dated 1 August 2023. It is headed: “LONDIANI ACCIDENT VICTIMS COMPENSATION FRAUD.”
The purported statement says it is concerned about the alleged theft of funds by “individuals connected to the county government of Kericho”.
If true, the matter has the potential to embarrass the ruling party, both locally and internationally, the statement says.
The Kericho county leadership has been rocked by infighting over allegations of misappropriation of the funds raised to help victims of the deadly accident.
One faction, led by deputy governor Fred Kirui, is questioning how the KSh13.6 million raised was spent. But another county executive, Wesley Bor, has denied allegations of corruption.
The document was also shared here and here. But did UDA really issue the statement?
Fake press release
Through its official Facebook account, the party posted the document stamped “FAKE” in red.
“FAKE CIRCULATION. – UDA Party #KeepingThePromise. #KaziNiKazi #UDACommunications,” the party wrote.
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