“BATA is closing down its operations in Kenya,” claims a post on Facebook dated 15 November 2019.
“Ladies mbuy Ngomas ka pair tano mjiekee stock.” This translates as: “Ladies buy five pairs of Ngomas [rubber shoes sold by Bata] to ensure you have a full stock.”
The claim appeared earlier on Twitter, on 14 November: “Bata shoes company is closing Kenya operations.”
The same day it was also made on a Kenyan discussion forum, where a user posted: “Bata Kenya closing shop.”
Is this true?
The rumour comes a few months after betting firm SportPesa closed its operations in Kenya, saying the tax laws were unfavourable. Hundreds of people lost their jobs.
On Twitter, some expressed the fear that more jobs would go if Bata left the country.
But Bata Kenya was quick to dispel the rumour.
The official Bata Shoe Kenya PLC account posted a number of responses on the Twitter stream following the claim.
“FAKE NEWS. Bata is not shutting down operations in Kenya,” reads one. Another says: “You need to verify information before putting it up.”
And a third promises: “We are not shutting down. We are here to stay.”
Bata is not closing down in Kenya. The claim is incorrect. – Grace Gichuhi
“Ladies mbuy Ngomas ka pair tano mjiekee stock.” This translates as: “Ladies buy five pairs of Ngomas [rubber shoes sold by Bata] to ensure you have a full stock.”
The claim appeared earlier on Twitter, on 14 November: “Bata shoes company is closing Kenya operations.”
The same day it was also made on a Kenyan discussion forum, where a user posted: “Bata Kenya closing shop.”
Is this true?
‘We are here to stay’
The rumour comes a few months after betting firm SportPesa closed its operations in Kenya, saying the tax laws were unfavourable. Hundreds of people lost their jobs.
On Twitter, some expressed the fear that more jobs would go if Bata left the country.
But Bata Kenya was quick to dispel the rumour.
The official Bata Shoe Kenya PLC account posted a number of responses on the Twitter stream following the claim.
“FAKE NEWS. Bata is not shutting down operations in Kenya,” reads one. Another says: “You need to verify information before putting it up.”
And a third promises: “We are not shutting down. We are here to stay.”
Bata is not closing down in Kenya. The claim is incorrect. – Grace Gichuhi
For publishers: what to do if your post is rated false
A fact-checker has rated your Facebook or Instagram post as “false”, “altered”, “partly false” or “missing context”. This could have serious consequences. What do you do?
Click on our guide for the steps you should follow.
Publishers guideAfrica Check teams up with Facebook
Africa Check is a partner in Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to help stop the spread of false information on social media.
The content we rate as “false” will be downgraded on Facebook and Instagram. This means fewer people will see it.
You can also help identify false information on Facebook. This guide explains how.
Further Reading
[email protected]: The challenges of working across Africa
Misinformation knows no borders and Africa Check often responds to similar false claims from country to country.
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