Despite government bans and awareness campaigns, poverty and entrenched cultural traditions remain the leading drivers of early marriages and underage pregnancies in the region.

Schools Struggle as Teenage Pregnancies Rise

Teachers in Tana River have expressed deep concern about the increasing number of teenage mothers in classrooms. A local secondary school headteacher explained that many girls in both lower and upper secondary classes are either married off or pregnant, forcing them to drop out.

“With a toddler to take care of, it takes extraordinary resilience for these girls to concentrate on studies,” he said. “Sadly, many end up ridiculed by classmates and society, which makes their situation even worse.”

The headteacher lamented that while communities openly shame young mothers, the men responsible for the pregnancies often escape accountability.

Cultural Defenders Insist on Tradition

Not everyone in the county views child marriage as a problem. Local elder Ibrahim Mamba defended the practice, describing it as a cultural norm that has been practiced for generations.

“Mwacha mila ni mtumwa,” he said, meaning one who abandons culture is a slave. According to Mamba, many girls deliberately get pregnant when school life becomes too difficult. “Instead of idling, it is better for them to marry, even if it means marrying older men,” he argued.

This perspective, however, has drawn sharp criticism from leaders and activists who believe culture should never be used to justify exploitation.

King Divayu Speaks Against FGM and Early Marriage

King Babisani Ramadhan Divayu, leader of the Wailwana community in Tana River, has strongly spoken out against child marriage and FGM. He revealed that, traditionally, girls are introduced to marriage discussions as early as 10 years old, often just before undergoing FGM.

He explained that early marriages are sometimes arranged casually when women fetching water or firewood agree to marry off their children in order to cement friendships.

“This disrupts the education of both the boy and the girl, some as young as grade three or six,” the king said. “Once public ceremonies are held, their concentration in school drops completely.”

The king emphasized that many families, driven by poverty, marry off daughters for as little as KSh 5,000, effectively trading their future for survival.

FGM: An Un-Islamic and Harmful Practice

King Divayu also condemned FGM, describing it as “an un-Islamic and unacceptable curse.” He said it is a false belief that circumcision reduces girls’ sexual desire.

Instead, he noted, the practice exposes women to life-threatening childbirth complications, with some dying during delivery.

Community elder Kantona Dadosa added that, in traditional setups, uncut girls were considered unclean. However, many educated families have started marrying outside the community to avoid marrying girls who have undergone the cut.

Education Crisis Deepens in Tana River

The consequences of these practices are visible in education statistics. A Tana Smart survey shows that out of a population of 315,000, about 86,907 are of school-going age. However, only 51,789 children attend the county’s 200 primary schools.

The county also suffers from a 40 percent dropout rate and a 48 percent transition rate to secondary school. Girls are the most affected, with many dropping out from grade five due to early marriage, pregnancies, or social pressures.

“Poverty and culture are robbing us of an educated generation,” King Divayu said.

Government Crackdown on Offenders

Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei has directed chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders to act swiftly against perpetrators of child marriage and FGM.

“The secrecy around these practices and the refusal of parents to cooperate with authorities must be dealt with from the grassroots,” Koskei said.

He urged stakeholders to strengthen public awareness campaigns and push for more investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to break the cycle.

Civil Society Called to Support Change

Despite the efforts of local leaders and administrators, challenges remain. The Wailwana Council of Elders, led by King Divayu, has been sensitizing communities about the dangers of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and FGM.

However, the king admitted progress is slow due to deep cultural roots and widespread poverty. He appealed to civil society organizations, NGOs, and development partners to step in and support community-led interventions.

“We need all hands on deck,” the king said. “Ending these practices is not just about laws it’s about changing mindsets and giving our children a chance at education.

This article was written by Dennis Ochieng Ndiewo

The post Tana River King Condemns Child Marriage, Teenage Pregnancy and FGM as Girls Face Academic Extinction appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

As the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2025 on March 8th, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the progress made in advancing women’s leadership and gender equality over the past three decades. Since the landmark 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, significant strides have been made globally in increasing women’s representation in leadership, enacting progressive policies, and amplifying women’s voices in media and governance. Women have been at the forefront of this transformation, pioneering initiatives that have reshaped social and political landscapes across nations. 

A defining moment in the journey toward gender equality has been the adoption of the Constitution 2010 and legislative measures aimed at promoting women’s participation in leadership. For instance, affirmative action policies, such as gender quotas, have been instrumental in increasing women’s representation in decision-making spaces. The introduction of measures like the two-thirds gender rule, which ensures that no more than two-thirds of elective or appointive positions are held by one gender, has marked a critical step forward. While the full implementation of such policies has faced challenges, their impact is evident in the growing number of women in parliaments, local governments, and executive roles. 

The 2022 elections in several countries, for example, marked historic milestones, with record numbers of women elected to leadership positions. This shift reflects changing societal attitudes and a growing recognition of the value women bring to governance. Female leaders have driven key discussions on economic empowerment, gender-based violence (GBV), and social justice, demonstrating the transformative power of inclusive leadership. 

Despite these advancements, women’s representation in leadership remains below desired thresholds. As of 2023, women held only 34% of key decision-making positions across various arms of government globally, highlighting both progress and the persistent challenges. In the public sector, women’s representation in middle and upper management roles remains disproportionately low, underscoring the need for continued advocacy and policy enforcement to bridge the gender gap. 

Media advocacy has played a pivotal role in amplifying women’s voices and advancing gender equality. By promoting gender-sensitive reporting and empowering women journalists through mentorship, training, and leadership programs, media organizations have contributed to reshaping narratives around women’s leadership. However, challenges persist in the media industry. Despite women constituting a significant portion of journalism graduates, their representation in media leadership remains low. Studies show that while women make up the majority of journalism graduates, they are often underrepresented in senior roles within media organizations. This disparity underscores the need for sustained efforts to promote gender equality within the industry. 

Media organizations have also been instrumental in shaping public discourse on women’s rights. By promoting fair representation in news coverage, highlighting women’s achievements, and challenging gender stereotypes, they have used media as a tool for change.

Digital platforms have further expanded opportunities for women to share their stories, engage in discussions, and influence national and global conversations. The progress seen today is a testament to the resilience of women and their allies. Young women now have more role models, greater leadership opportunities, and stronger support systems. Although barriers remain, collective efforts by governments, civil society, and media advocacy groups continue to break them down, moving societies closer to gender equality. 

Looking ahead, the vision for a more equitable future includes a media landscape where women are fully represented, empowered, and influential in shaping policy and public opinion. Increasing women’s leadership in media by advocating for more female editors, managers, and executives is a critical step. Promoting gender-sensitive reporting remains a priority, ensuring that women are fairly and accurately portrayed in news coverage, particularly in politics, business, and governance. Expanding mentorship and training programs for young female journalists, equipping them with digital, investigative, and leadership skills, is equally important. Additionally, fostering gender-responsive media policies is crucial to guaranteeing equal opportunities for women in the industry. Addressing gender-based violence in media spaces, including workplace harassment and online abuse, is another key focus, as these issues continue to hinder women’s participation. 

Digital platforms offer immense potential to empower women, with social media, podcasts, and online publications providing spaces to showcase women’s achievements and challenge stereotypes. Advocacy for research-based policy reforms will further support gender equity in media and leadership. Supporting women’s political participation by using media to highlight female leaders, encourage more women to run for office, and push for the full implementation of gender quotas is also essential. 

For these efforts to succeed, governments must actively support gender equality in media, governance, and policy implementation. Enforcing gender-responsive media policies is essential to ensuring equal employment opportunities, fair pay, and leadership roles for women in newsrooms. Full implementation of gender quotas is necessary to guarantee equitable representation of women in decision-making bodies. Strengthening laws against gender-based violence, workplace harassment, and online abuse is critical in creating safer environments for women. Additionally, providing financial and technical support for women-centered media initiatives, such as grants, fellowships, and digital training programs, will further advance women’s participation in the industry. 

Collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and media advocacy groups is vital in driving national gender equality campaigns and conducting research to inform policies. Investing in digital transformation will also help close the digital divide, ensuring that women in media, technology, and journalism can thrive in an evolving landscape. 

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day 2025, the commitment to gender equality remains strong. While the journey is far from over, the combined efforts of women leaders, policymakers, media organizations, and advocacy groups continue to push societies toward a more inclusive and equitable future. With continued investment in media representation, leadership opportunities, and policy reforms, the future of women’s leadership is brighter than ever. Through resilience, collaboration, and innovation, the world is setting the stage for a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a lived reality.

The post OPED: The Road to Parity: How Media and Advocacy Are Driving Women’s Leadership Forward appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

A Nation Africa digital card posted on Facebook claiming that Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana had paid a courtesy call to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during which he withdrew a censure motion against the DP, is fake.

The post contains a photo of several leaders, including Mr Mungatana and Mr Gachagua outside the DP’s office at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi.

The digital card is dated September 24, 2024, just a day after Mungatana, a member of the ruling UDA, filed a censure motion against the DP citing Gachagua’s “marginalization of minority groups and inciteful remarks” as key reasons for the motion forwarded to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.

The claim came amid efforts to impeach Gachagua, which eventually happened on October 17, 2024. 

However, WOKN established that the picture was originally posted by the DP on his X (formerly Twitter) account on December 7, 2023, after a follow-up meeting with Tana River leaders to discuss the El Nino situation in the county and the government’s intervention. 

Moreover, following a review of Nation Africa’s social media pages, WOKN also established that the media outlet had distanced itself from the card on its X account, stating; “Please be advised that this card doing rounds on social media is fake.”

Garsen MP Ali Hashaka, who was present during the December meeting also posted on his X account stating; “Mr. DP, BEWARE! This post is falsifying and inaccurate. It does not emanate from any media house but blogger dimwits. This was during the drought and floods in Tana River and the leadership of Tana River including Senator Mungatana, Bura Mp Hon Yakub Adow, and W Rep.”

This fact-check was written by Woman Kenya Network fact-checker William Bulemi and edited by Woman Kenya Editor, Shadrack Agamira.

This fact-check was produced by Woman Kenya Network (WOKN) under the African Fact-Checking Incubator programme, with support from PesaCheck, Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, and the African Fact-Checking Alliance(AFCA).

Woman Kenya Network is a distinguished digital media company committed to advancing gender equality and promoting the equitable participation of women and girls in society.

Launched in 2018, WOKN has grown into a fully-fledged digital media platform with a vibrant social media presence on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Our platforms have become a trusted and reliable source of information on gender-sensitive content covering diverse thematic areas including Politics, Climate, Peace and Security, Gender Justice, Health, Economic Empowerment, and SRHR as guided by SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.  We use the media to advocate for gender equality, promote just portrayal, and amplify women’s voices in society.

The post FAKE: A Graphic Claiming that Senator Danson Mungatana Withdrew the Censure Motion Against Gachagua is Fabricated appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

October is  Africa Pride Month – marking 35 years of celebrating diverse identities on the continent and a moment to reflect on the progress made and the continuous threats toward securing rights, health, and choices for all. While vibrant parades and joyous gatherings dominate in many parts of the world, the reality for many of Africa’s LGBTQ+ community remains one of inequality.

A life in shadows

Tremendous progress has been made in ensuring greater equality for LGBTQ+ people in some countries. However, in a few others harmful laws and policies that criminalize same-sex relationships, often with severe implications, are being passed. These laws not only punish individuals for their sexual orientation and gender identity but also perpetuate a culture of fear and secrecy. Societal stigma compounds the problem, leading to widespread discrimination and violence. Often ostracized from families and communities, LGBTQ+ individuals lose their support systems and even economic opportunities. This exclusion forces many into hiding – into the shadows – increasing their risk of violence, and marginalization from their families and societies, limiting access to vital sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV prevention and treatment, which threatens the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

A call for gender-inclusive health services

Together, we must do more to understand better and meet the needs of populations left behind, in particular for transgender and intersex people. Available data highlights that transgender and gender-diverse women, as well as lesbians, are more likely to experience higher rates of violence, alcohol, and substance abuse compared to the general population. The health-related rights, including the sexual and reproductive health rights and needs of LGBTQ+ people, are critical, yet they are often overlooked. A limited understanding of existing laws and policies, societal and individual norms, and attitudes give rise to stigma and discrimination in some healthcare settings that can result in judgemental attitudes and a general lack of understanding of the healthcare needs of LGBTQ+ people.

Applying a PRIDE approach to health care services can have far-reaching positive impacts on the health and well-being of all and in particular LGBTQ+ individuals.

What is a PRIDE approach?

1. PEOPLE – It places the needs of people at the center of everything we do.
2. RESPECTFUL – It provides services that are respectful and responsive to the rights and choices of all.
3. INTEGRATED—It includes integrated services that combine the prevention and treatment of diseases with a sex-positive approach and a focus on the health and well-being of the person in totality.
4. DIVERSITY – It includes services that recognize diversity and are inclusive of all.
5. ENABLED – The services it offers are enabled by policies driven by fundamental human rights, including the right to health and sexual and reproductive rights; they counteract biases, stigma, and discrimination, thereby increasing trust in the health care system.

Empowering communities for better health outcomes

A community-led approach is fundamental in ensuring a PRIDE approach to health care systems. Communities must be included and involved in designing, delivering, advocating for, and evaluating health services. Community-led initiatives built on the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people have proven to be highly effective.

Peers drawn from within the community can navigate the complex healthcare system, empower their peers, and build trust through shared understanding. This shared experience allows them to offer relevant information and address specific concerns in a sensitive and affirming manner that leads to better health outcomes and a stronger sense of well-being.

Towards a more just future

A PRIDE approach can only be achieved if it is enabled by the principles of equality and non-discrimination that are at the heart of human rights and public health. Everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, is entitled to their human rights, including the right to privacy, the right to be treated as equal before the law, the right to health, sexual and reproductive rights, and the right to protection from discrimination.

Legal protections aligned with international human rights standards are crucial to advance the health and well-being of LGBTQ+. While several countries such as Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, and South Africa have decriminalized same-sex relations, governments, professional associations of health care workers, faith-based, traditional, rights-based, and community-based organizations must do more to address societal attitudes and promote diversity and inclusion.

Pride beyond October

Pride is not just a month-long celebration, it’s a reminder and call to action that we should continuously strive to educate and promote respect for the rights and freedoms of all. Collectively, UNAIDS and UNFPA   remain committed to supporting national and community-led actions towards increasing access to information and services for key populations in our region using innovative approaches for advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of key populations. 

Through the Joint United Nations Regional Programme 2gether 4 SRHR implemented by our agencies, we supported the finalization of the SADC Parliamentary Forum Minimum Standards for the protection of the SRHR of key populations in the SADC region which is comprehensive SADC Guidance Document on Key Populations on the minimum threshold of acceptable protection for key populations, and include reducing stigma and discrimination, ending violence against key populations, monitoring and reforming laws and policies, and ensuring access to information and services.  Following the Global Coalition Roadmap and the SADC Key Population Strategy, the guide is intended to assist Member States scale up their programs for key populations and provides guidance supported by case studies from the SADC region. Areas for guidance include developing minimum service packages; developing a scale-up plan; differentiated service delivery and integration; and resource mobilization and sustainability.

The program also supported work with civil society on addressing the needs of key populations through peer-led interventions, including drop-in centers, outreach activities, mobile services, and linking and referral to public health facilities, which have resulted in some progress towards attaining the SRH rights for these key populations.

Furthermore, South Africa and Kenya tested models of service provision for key populations that have yielded valuable insights.

We will continue to work together with governments, the community, and other stakeholders to advance rights for all, where no one is left behind, and to advocate for a world in which all people can achieve their full health and well-being, free of violence, stigma, and discrimination. These are the basic tenets of regional commitments such as the SADC regional strategy for HIV prevention, treatment and care and sexual and reproductive health and rights among key populations, resolution 275 of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the Maputo Plan of Action, and they are fundamental principles core to the Sustainable Development Goals, including to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

For resources and stories about LGBTQ+ in our region, visit the SRHR knowledge hub at www.2gether4SRHR.org. For information about Pride Month events throughout October visit  Pride of Africa. 

Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director, East and Southern Africa

Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA Regional Director, East and Southern Africa

The post Beyond the rainbow: LGBTQ+ rights and health in Eastern and Southern Africa appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

This letter purporting that former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua resigned is FAKE.

The letter, dated 16 October 2024, is purportedly addressed to the country’s President William Ruto and allegedly signed by Gachagua.

The letter claims that Gachagua does not believe he will get a fair trial in the Senate or court. Therefore, he has chosen to resign to safeguard his 2027 ambitions to vie for a state office.

To validate the letter’s authenticity, PesaCheck reviewed Gachagua’s social media pages but did not come across such a letter.

The Office of the former Deputy President has equally not published such a letter on their official social media pages. Similarly, no credible media house has reported on the news of Gachagua’s resignation.

PesaCheck contacted the head of Deputy President Communication Service Njeri Rugene via WhatsApp, and she stamped the letter as fake.

The Public Communications Director of the Presidential Communication Service, Wanjohi Githae, also confirmed to PesaCheck in a WhatsApp message that the letter under investigation was fake.

The Kenyan Senate began Gachagua’s impeachment trial on 16 October 2024, after the High Court ruled that the proceedings were constitutional. Gachagua had filed a petition to stop the Senate from proceeding with the impeachment trial.

On 16 October 2024, Gachagua pleaded not guilty to the 11 charges leveled against him. On 17 October 2024, the Senate upheld the National Assembly’s decision to impeach Gachagua. Following the vote of no confidence by the two houses, President Ruto on 18 October 2024 nominated and forwarded the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki’s name to the National Assembly for vetting as the next Deputy President. Though the National Assembly approved the nomination of Kindiki as the new DP on 18 October 2024, the High Court issued temporary orders stopping the replacement of Gachagua until 24 October 2024. A day later, the hearing was pushed forward to 22 October 2024.

PesaCheck has looked into the letter purporting that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has resigned and finds it to be FAKE.

This post was first published on the PesaCheck website. It is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

By partnering with Facebook and similar social media platforms, third-party fact-checking organizations like PesaCheck are helping to sort fact from fiction. They do this by giving the public deeper insight and context to posts they see in their social media feeds.

The post FAKE: This letter claiming ex-Kenyan Deputy President Gachagua resigned is fabricated appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

This image on X (formerly Twitter) of a gazette notice claiming that Kenyan President William Ruto has appointed Charlene Ruto as the chairperson of the National Mining Corporation (NMC) has been ALTERED.

President Ruto has a daughter named Charlene. The claim image, a screengrab of a gazette notice showing Charlene’s name highlighted, accompanies a post partly in Kiswahili and reads: “Rigathi Gachagua was Tribal and corrupt, so he must go home and many other stories. Is this not Charlene Ruto whose father has fixed here? She also run(sic) other government tenders.”

The image, also shared here and here, purportedly shows an appointment made by Ruto on 3 October 2024.

However, the image is not accurate.

A review of the image shows that the font used on Charlene’s name is different from the font used in the rest of the document.

PesaCheck further reviewed the 3 October notice, published on the Kenya Law website, which carries a record of all gazette notices, and established that the image under scrutiny had been altered to include Charlene’s name.

In the original notice, Ruto appointed Joseph Kipchumba Lagat as the NMC chair for three years, effective 4 October 2024.

The gazette also lists other appointments reported here.

Moreover, a keyword search revealed that no such appointment by the president was reported by credible media.

Charlene also dismissed the claim in an X post on 11 October 2024.

PesaCheck has looked into an image on X of a gazette notice claiming that President William Ruto has appointed Charlene Ruto as the chairperson of the National Mining Corporation (NMC) and found it to be ALTERED.

This post was first published on the PesaCheck website. It is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

By partnering with Facebook and similar social media platforms, third-party fact-checking organizations like PesaCheck are helping to sort fact from fiction. They do this by giving the public deeper insight and context to posts they see in their social media feeds.

The post ALTERED: This notice claiming Charlene Ruto was appointed as National Mining Corporation chairperson is doctored appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

A notice dated July 23, 2024, claiming that journalist and activist Hanifa Adan, popularly known as Hanifa Farsafi, was summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) following her online fundraising activities is fake. 

The letter widely circulated on X, and Facebook alleged that Hanifa had contravened the EACC ACT Section 13(2). The letter further alleged that questions had been raised regarding an unidentified sum of money collected through the online fundraising platform M-change. Following the anti-finance bill protests, the funds were meant for the injured and bereaved families. 

The notice, dated 23 July 2024, also claimed that Hanifa had been summoned to appear before the EACC on 24 July 2024. 

Hanifa, who appeared on Kenyans.co.ke list of Top 100 Kenyans in 2023, coordinated the fundraising through her X platform.  

However, Woman Kenya Network can verify that the summon notice is fake. 

Through a reverse image search, WOKN established that the notice was published by accounts not linked to the official social media platforms of the EACC.  

A subsequent review of the official X account of the EACC revealed that the commission did not publish any such letter. Instead, EACC branded the summon notice fake. 

The anti-corruption body further stated that it would investigate the individuals impersonating its officers. 

Hanifa also dismissed the notice on X, stating that she would take action against the individuals who published the fake letter. 

This fact-check was written by Woman Kenya Network fact-checker Benjamin Imende and edited by Woman Kenya Project lead, Shadrack Agamira.

This fact-check was produced by Woman Kenya Network, under the African Fact-Checking Incubator program, with support from PesaCheck, Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, and the African Fact-Checking Alliance(AFCA).

Woman Kenya Network is a distinguished digital media company committed to advancing gender equality and promoting the equitable participation of women and girls in society. 

Launched in 2018, WOKN has grown into a fully-fledged digital media platform with a vibrant social media presence on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok. 

Our platform has become a trusted and reliable source of information on gender-sensitive content covering diverse thematic areas including Politics, Climate, Peace and Security, Gender Justice, Health, Economic Empowerment, and SRHR as guided by SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.  We use the media to advocate for gender equality, promote just portrayal, and amplify women’s voices in society.

The post FAKE: This letter claiming that the EACC summoned activist Hanifa Adan over M-Changa funds is fabricated appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

This image on Facebook showing the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) signage purportedly changed to Adani Krishna International Airport has been ALTERED.

The image is a collage of two photos, one purportedly depicting JKIA’s entrance before William Ruto’s presidency and another with the signage ‘Adani Krishna International Airport’ supposedly after he assumed office.

The photo accompanies a post that reads: “SAD; JKIA is now an Indian airport, Kenya has no international airport anymore.”

The image has also been shared here following the planned takeover of Kenya’s largest aviation facility by the Adani Group in November 2024. The news of the alleged private deal caused controversy following weeks of protests over bad governance in the country. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union also protested against the Adani deal, which would see the company take over the airport’s operations.

However, the image does not accurately depict the airport’s entrance.

A comparison of the two images in the post shows that except for the signage, everything else — the cars, police officers pictured, and the angle at which the photo was taken — remains the same.

A further reverse search of the image bearing the Adani signage reveals no official record. Instead, as seen here, the search brings up the original image of the airport’s entrance, which only contains the JKIA signage.

Additionally, there are no reports of the signage being changed as of 4 September 2024.

A previous debunk by PesaCheck, where an altered version of the original photo had been used satirically, also established that the original image has been online since 2022.

PesaCheck has looked into an image on Facebook of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) signage purportedly changed to Adani Krishna International Airport and found it has been ALTERED.

This post was first published on the PesaCheck website. It is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

By partnering with Facebook and similar social media platforms, third-party fact-checking organizations like PesaCheck are helping to sort fact from fiction. They do this by giving the public deeper insight and context to posts they see in their social media feeds.

The post ALTERED: JKIA signage has not been rebranded appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

A post shared on X (formerly Twitter) with a letter purportedly from the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (Galck+) claiming lawyer Morara Kebaso is a member of the body is FAKE.

Galck+ is an umbrella body representing LGBTQ+ voices across Kenya.

The post reads, “Morara Kebaso sits on the board of The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK), an organization with values and actions that contradict traditional African family structures.”

The purported letter reads in part: “This letter is to confirm that Mr. Morara Kebaso is a Member of The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK). Mr. Kebaso actively supports our mission to promote and protect the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya.”

Through his social media platforms, Kebaso has become popular for documenting his visits to various sites across the country to assess the progress and authenticity of the Kenyan government’s development projects.

The letter in question is seemingly signed off by the coalition’s executive director, Njeri Gateru. Contrary to this, the Galck+ executive coordinator is Lorna Dias, while Gateru is the executive director at the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC).

The purported letter is not on the coalition’s official social media platforms or website. Instead, they denounced the letter in a Facebook post dated 5 September 2024.

“We, at galck+ distance ourselves from this laughable attempt at misinformation. Apparently, someone’s been busy crafting fake letters instead of tackling real issues, but we must give them credit for their creativity!” the post reads in part.

The post adds, “Let’s be clear: galck+ does not issue false documents or indulge in petty distractions. Our focus remains on protecting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya, and we will continue to do so with integrity and purpose. For real news (yes, the truth still matters), reach out to us through our official channels: info@galck.org or visit www.galck.org.”

PeasCheck has looked into a post shared on X with a letter purportedly from the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (Galck+) claiming lawyer Morara Kebaso is a member of the coalition and finds it to be FAKE.

This post was first published on the PesaCheck website. It is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

By partnering with Facebook and similar social media platforms, third-party fact-checking organizations like PesaCheck are helping to sort fact from fiction. They do this by giving the public deeper insight and context to posts they see in their social media feeds.

The post FAKE: This letter claiming lawyer Morara Kebaso is a member of Galck+ is fabricated appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

A Facebook post with an image of Citizen TV journalist Olive Burrows wearing a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) branded dress is ALTERED.

The post reads, “Olive Burrows wins Miss UDA in the journalism category! Let’s give her a round of applause!”

The dress is also branded “Kenya Kwanza Women Brigade.”

UDA is Kenya’s ruling party under the Kenya Kwanza coalition umbrella.

The image was shared following a 27 July 2024 interview on Citizen TV with youth activists in the wake of anti-government protests, during which Burrows was accused of being pro-government by some social media users.

PesaCheck examined Burrows’ official social media accounts and found an image with similar features as the claim image.

The news anchor shared an image standing in the same posture and background on 26 February 2024 on Instagram and Facebook.

A side-by-side comparison of the original image and the doctored one shows that the authentic photo was manipulated to add the UDA branded dress.

Burrows denounced the claim in response to a PesaCheck inquiry saying, “I am in no way associated with UDA or Kenya Kwanza. It is cyberbullying.”

PesaCheck has looked into a Facebook post with an image of Citizen TV journalist Olive Burrows wearing a United Democratic Alliance-branded dress and finds it to be ALTERED.

This post was first published on the PesaCheck website. It is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

By partnering with Facebook and similar social media platforms, third-party fact-checking organisations like PesaCheck are helping to sort fact from fiction. They do this by giving the public deeper insight and context to posts they see in their social media feeds.

The post ALTERED: This image of Citizen TV journalist Olive Burrows wearing a UDA-branded dress is doctored appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.