An image circulating on Facebook in Kenya seems to show the 27 May 2020 front page of the Standard newspaper, with the headline: “Is Rachel in hiding?”
It includes a large photo of Rachel Ruto, wife of deputy president William Ruto. Text next to the photo reads: “No one has seen Rachel Ruto since the beginning of March this year. She was last seen taking off with the rest of the family after a heated family fight.”
But comments on the Facebook posts indicate that the front page is fake.
The Standard’s real front page for 27 May is quite different.
It shows a photo of Orange Democratic Movement opposition leader Raila Odinga next to the headline: “Raila’s no to nusu mkate.” That’s Kiswahili for: “Raila’s no to coalition government.”
The text reads: “Coalition. ODM leader breaks the silence on reports of a government of national unity with President Kenyatta. Says handshake will deliver referendum this year.”
In any case, it’s not true that Rachel Ruto has not been seen in public since early March.
On 26 April the deputy president posted photos on Facebook and Twitter of his family at a prayer session in his official residence in Karen, Nairobi county. Rachel Ruto was there, and shared the photos on her official Facebook page.
The Standard has posted the real and fake front pages side by side on Twitter and Facebook, with the message: “Avoid fake news by getting yourself a copy of the bold newspaper.” – Dancan Bwire
It includes a large photo of Rachel Ruto, wife of deputy president William Ruto. Text next to the photo reads: “No one has seen Rachel Ruto since the beginning of March this year. She was last seen taking off with the rest of the family after a heated family fight.”
But comments on the Facebook posts indicate that the front page is fake.
Ruto at April 2020 prayer meeting
The Standard’s real front page for 27 May is quite different.
It shows a photo of Orange Democratic Movement opposition leader Raila Odinga next to the headline: “Raila’s no to nusu mkate.” That’s Kiswahili for: “Raila’s no to coalition government.”
The text reads: “Coalition. ODM leader breaks the silence on reports of a government of national unity with President Kenyatta. Says handshake will deliver referendum this year.”
In any case, it’s not true that Rachel Ruto has not been seen in public since early March.
On 26 April the deputy president posted photos on Facebook and Twitter of his family at a prayer session in his official residence in Karen, Nairobi county. Rachel Ruto was there, and shared the photos on her official Facebook page.
The Standard has posted the real and fake front pages side by side on Twitter and Facebook, with the message: “Avoid fake news by getting yourself a copy of the bold newspaper.” – Dancan Bwire
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