IN SHORT: Two viral images appear to show the Standard newspaper calling former deputy presidents Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka a “deadly infection” and an “evil opposition”. However, the covers are fake.
Two similar front pages have been circulating online since early October 2025, both carrying sensational headlines about former Kenyan deputy presidents Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka.
They appear to be covers of the Standard, one of Kenya’s leading daily newspapers.
One, shared on 8 October, is headlined: “Virus and His Cousin Bacteria.”
Its summary claims that “together, Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka are nothing but a deadly infection to Kenya’s body politic.” It describes Gachagua as “the virus”, spreading bitterness, and Kalonzo as “the bacteria”, feeding on instability.
The other, posted a day earlier, reads: “Evil Opposition.”
Its summary reads: “Wickedness: The Opposition, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has exposed its true face of malice by celebrating the ill health of a political opponent. Rather than showing compassion or humanity, they chose to mock and politicise someone’s suffering, proving that their brand of politics is driven by bitterness, cruelty, and raw ambition. A team that cheers at another’s pain can never be trusted to lead a nation – it is not leadership, it is evil disguised as opposition.”
The two covers depict the politicians as toxic opposition figures and imply that the Standard published harsh stories about them.
Context
Gachagua was Kenya’s deputy president from 2022 until his impeachment in October 2024, after a fallout with president William Ruto. Since then, he has become one of Ruto’s fiercest critics, building allies ahead of the 2027 general election.
Musyoka was Kenya’s vice president from 2008 to 2013. He remains a long-time opposition leader.
In his bid to unseat Ruto, Gachagua has mobilised opposition leaders, including Musyoka, to form a united front.
The supposed front pages began circulating soon after rumours about former prime minister Raila Odinga’s health surfaced in early October 2025.
The timing of the covers appears deliberate, coinciding with intense online commentary about reactions to Odinga’s health.
But are they authentic? We checked.
Fake front pages
Africa Check traced the two fake covers to a Facebook page called Daily Standard. It is a known source of doctored front pages that imitate the Standard’s design.
The newspaper regularly posts its front pages on its verified social media accounts, including Facebook and X, as well as on its e-paper platform.
A search of these accounts confirmed the original front pages.
The genuine 7 October issue carried the headline: “AT LAST.” It focused on Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo’s resignation from a government task force on protest victims.
The 8 October front page had the headline: “Not our heroes.” It referred to the controversy over state honours for politicians accused of corruption.
Neither front page included any reference to Gachagua and Musyoka.
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