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.

The stakes are particularly high for gender-focused media outlets like Woman Kenya Network (WOKN). A 2023 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), revealed that women politicians face 3.1 times more gendered disinformation attacks than their male counterparts, with false narratives often weaponized to undermine their credibility. Additionally, research by NDI and Internews reveals that in Kenya, nearly 60% of women leaders report experiencing targeted disinformation campaigns, making fact-checking not just a journalistic tool, but a crucial weapon against gender-based smear campaigns.

Misinformation can spread like wildfire, particularly among the most vulnerable communities. Our newsroom was no different. We struggled to distinguish fact from fiction in an increasingly complex media landscape.

Then came the Fact-Checking Incubator programme, a collaborative initiative by Code for Africa and its partners that would fundamentally transform how we approach journalism.

The programme wasn’t just another training workshop. It was a comprehensive journey into the heart of responsible reporting. The journalists learnt sophisticated techniques to verify information, dissect sources, and build a robust fact-checking ecosystem. What made this programme unique was its practical approach; it wasn’t about theoretical knowledge, but real-world skills we could seamlessly implement.

The program’s collaborative nature sparked a remarkable transformation within WOKN’s team. Weekly mentorship meetings evolved into forums where fact-checkers, editors, and the mentor collectively dissected complex stories, sharing verification techniques, analyzing and speaking to potential sources, and building consensus on editorial decisions. This collaborative approach not only strengthened our fact-checking processes but also fostered a culture of teamwork and mutuality.

Our team was equipped with cutting-edge digital tools and methodologies. We learned to cross-reference multiple sources, use reverse image search techniques, and understand the subtle mechanisms of how misinformation spreads. More importantly, we learned to do this efficiently, understanding that in the fast-paced world of digital journalism, speed cannot come at the cost of accuracy.

The most profound impact wasn’t just the technical skills, but the cultural shift in our newsroom. The team began to see fact-checking not as an additional task, but as the very foundation of ethical journalism; where every story is an opportunity to provide verified, reliable information to our readers.

The programme’s funding support has been transformative, enabling us to invest in fact-checking personnel. This financial backing has strengthened our editorial independence, allowing us to pursue stories without external pressure and maintain our commitment to objective, evidence-based journalism. It has also helped us establish a sustainable fact-checking desk that will serve our audience long after the initial training period.

For Woman Kenya Network, this meant more than just better reporting. It meant empowering our communities with the truth. In a media landscape often dominated by sensationalism, we can now be a beacon of reliable information, especially for girls, women, and the vulnerable communities that Woman Kenya Network aims to serve.

The Fact-Checking Incubator wasn’t just a programme; it was a movement. A movement that reminded us that in an era of information overload, journalism’s most crucial role is to separate signal from noise.

Our readers deserve nothing less than the unvarnished truth. And now, we’re better equipped than ever to deliver it.

The post How Fact-Checking is a Superpower to Newsrooms in the Age of Viral Lies appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

This post published on September 27, 2024, alleging the death of John Cardinal Njue, is false. 

“BREAKING: John Cardinal Njue is dead,” reads the Tiktok video’s caption.

The news of Cardinal Njue’s passing was also shared on X and WhatsApp.

However, Woman Kenya Network established that the claim is false. 

An official statement made by the Catholic church on its official Facebook account, Archdiocese of Nairobi, stated that the claim was false. 

“​​His Eminence John Cardinal Njue is alive, and we ask that everyone disregards these baseless

rumors. We kindly urge all to refrain from sharing or entertaining unverified information, particularly on sensitive matters such as this. Should there be any official communication regarding His

Eminence’s health or any other matter, it will be conveyed through official Church channels,” reads part of the statement. 

The church also flagged the information circulating on social media, particularly Facebook, as false,  and urged people to stop spreading unverified claims. 

Renowned priest Father Charles Kinyua, in a Facebook post, also dismissed the rumors about Cardinal John Njue’s health, assuring the public that he had spoken with the Cardinal, who is in good health. 

Moreover, mainstream media outlets, including Capital FM, Citizen Digital, and The Standard, also reported that Cardinal Njue is alive and well​.

Additionally, His Eminence on October 12, 2024, attended the episcopal installation of Reverend Wallace Ng’ang’a as the Catholic Military Ordinariate at Ulinzi Sports Complex. 

The retired Archbishop relinquished his position in 2021 after leading the archdiocese for 14 years​.

Woman Kenya Network looked into the claim alleging the cardinal had died, and found it to be false. 

This fact-check was written by Woman Kenya Network fact-checker Trizah Mmwanda 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 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 FALSE: Cardinal John Njue is not dead appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

A video shared on X(formerly Twitter)and TikTok purporting that President William Ruto introduced Defence Cabinet Secretary, Ms Soipan Tuya as his ex-girlfriend is altered.

Ruto and Tuya are visible in the clip as he allegedly makes the statement. The video’s caption, in Swahili, translates to: ‘This is my former girlfriend; we will continue planting trees.’

The clip was shared following cabinet changes after Ruto dismissed his cabinet on July 11, 2024, in an effort to form a ‘broad-based government’ following anti-government protests. In his new nominations, Ruto initially appointed Tuya as Environment CS and later nominated her for the Defence docket.

His choice of new cabinet members faced widespread criticism. Tuya, in particular, was subjected to sexist attacks online after her nomination. In response, Maasai women, under the Maa Women’s Umbrella Network lobby, publicly condemned the surge in cyberbullying and sexual harassment against Ms. Tuya.”

WOKN performed a Google reverse search of a screengrab from the circulating video to determine the clip’s authenticity. The results brought up a TikTok video where Ruto is seen introducing his wife, Rachel. 

A further keyword search led us to a YouTube video of Ruto introducing his wife, shared on May 10, 2024. The footage bears the State House logo and a subsequent review of the State House YouTube channel brought up the original video, which dates back to the National Tree Planting Day on May 10, 2024, when Kenya’s President William Ruto led a tree planting exercise at Kambicho Forest in Murang’a County. 

In the original video, President Ruto introduces his wife Rachel as his former girlfriend at the 8:20 mark after which he introduces Soipan Tuya, establishing that Ruto was speaking of his wife and not Tuya as alleged. 

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

This fact-check was produced by Woman Kenya Network (WOKN) 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 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 ALTERED: President William Ruto did not introduce Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya as his former girlfriend appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.

A TikTok video of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin purportedly delivering a speech in support of anti-finance bill protests in Kenya has been ALTERED. 

The clip of Putin speaking in Russian is captioned: “KWISHA!!, support from Russia, #rejectfinancebill” and was posted on the video-sharing platform amidst protests in Kenya to reject the Finance Bill 2024 led by the youth.

Another caption in swahili at the bottom of the video translates to: “What should we ask for? And who will be our spokesperson?”  

The subtitles in the video, accompanied by a voice-over translation, allege that Putin is congratulating Kenyan youth for their bravery and pledged support for the movement. 

Currently, the economy in many countries is not good but I would like to talk about one country in Africa, specifically East Africa, called Kenya. There have been demonstrations about rejecting this year’s Finance Bill and guess who is leading the demonstrations – Gen Z. I am very proud of the youth in that country because they have unity and one voice and as Russia, we only congratulate the brave,” the translation reads.

According to the clip, Putin further states:: “I know it does not concern me but I support them and will offer to help them with anything they need while demonstrating. Get a spokesman and contact me via the Russian embassy, whatever you need, or to deal with the harassment from the authorities.”    

However, our investigation established that the video was  altered to include Putin’s supposed support of the protests in Kenya. 

Using a reverse image search of a screenshot from the clip, Woman Kenya Network (WOKN) found the original video on the United Kingdom’s broadcasting channel, Sky News YouTube channel. 

The translation of Putin’s message in the TikTok video under our scrutiny was altered and  is unrelated to the information in the original video captured during the Victory Day Parade on May 9, 2023 in Moscow. 

Woman Kenya Network did an independent Google translate, and this is what he said” However, Western globalist elites continue to talk about their exclusivity, pit people against each other and split societies, provoke bloody conflicts and coups, sow hatred, Russophobia, aggressive nationalism, and destroy family and traditional values ​​that make us human.” He continued, “We are proud of the participants in the special operation, all those who fight on the front line, those who deliver goods to the front and save the wounded under fire. Your combat activity is now of paramount importance. The security of the country, the future of our statehood and our people depend on you today.”

In the original clip, the Russian President accused the West of Russophobia. Putin’s sentiments were also reported here and here.

This fact-check was written by Woman Kenya Network fact-checker Trizah Mmwanda and edited by Woman Kenya Project Lead Shadrack Agamira.

This fact-check was produced by Woman Kenya Network, 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 ALTERED: Russian president Vladimir Putin did not back anti-Finance Bill protests In Kenya  appeared first on Woman Kenya Network.