IN SHORT: A screenshot of a Kenyan newspaper column on social media claims the “Itungati” group wants ethnic dominance and secession. It is fake, and the Star has denied publishing it.
“A former senior state official” is behind a group supposedly rallying for the Kikuyu community’s dominance and possible secession from Kenya. That’s the claim in a screenshot of what appears to be the print version of Corridors of Power, a popular political gossip column in the Kenyan newspaper the Star.
The Agikuyu, or Kikuyu, are Kenya’s largest ethnic group.
The column, posted on the social media platform X on 23 January 2024, reads: “Mount Kenya is abuzz with whispers of *Itungati*, a shadowy group rallying for Kikuyu dominance and flirting with secession. Their bold manifesto? Take control of national resources-or break away. Insiders point to a former senior state official as the mastermind, pulling strings behind the scenes in a dangerous power play that could plunge the nation into chaos.”
It features a photo of Kenya’s former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and the headline: “Ex-state bigwig behind shadowy militia.”
Gachagua was impeached in October 2024 on charges of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions and undermining the government.
The “Itungati” movement is a newly emerged prominent group in Kenya's Mount Kenya region. It draws on historical references to the Mau Mau fighters. Its emergence has led to a mixture of support and concern, with calls for further investigation into its activities and aims.
“Mount Kenya” refers to a vote-rich political construct involving the Kikuyu, Meru, and Embu communities and the counties where these communities are the majority.
But did the Star’s Corridors of Power column report this? We checked.
Ignore fake story
A search of the Star’s website for the story did not reveal such a headline. We noticed that the column did not usually include photos of the story’s subjects.
There are other red flags. We couldn't find any reports of Gachagua being in charge of the shadowy militia in the media reports, as would be expected.
The screenshot is a fabrication. The Star posted the image on its verified X platform and Facebook accounts with the stamp “FAKE”.
“This post is not associated with us in any way and should be treated as FAKE. Get authentic news from our verified accounts,” the newspaper said.
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