This post on X accompanied by a document claiming that KFC would be laying off workers in Kenya due to the economic disruptions caused by anti-government demonstrations is fake. 

The document bears the KFC logo and supposedly originates from the KFC Franchise Department based in Texas, United States and is attributed to the company’s Human Resource Director. 

The purported letter claims to be an announcement of layoffs within the KFC franchise in Kenya following protests in the country. 

The publication of the letter also coincided with reports that businesses had lost up to Sh6 billion in the wake of the sustained Gen Z demos.

However, WOKN established that the letter was not authentic. 

Kentucky Fried Chicken, better known as KFC, is an American fast-food restaurant chain headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. According to the American Chamber of Commerce, the KFC franchise in Kenya is operated by Kuku Foods in East Africa. 

Kuku Foods EA is, therefore, the entity that would make any announcements in Kenya on behalf of the Kenya franchise and not the head office. 

Further, KFC Kenya’s social media platforms did not have any record of such a letter. 

KFC Kenya instead issued an official statement stating that the letter circulating was fake. The fast-food company also clarified that the franchise was not undertaking any layoffs in Kenya. 

This fact-check was written by Woman Kenya Network fact-checker Veronica Ondere and edited by Woman Kenya Editor, Aruna Museti.

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.

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