The Kenyan 2017 Presidential Election will be remembered by the arrant amount of ‘fake news’ and propaganda that spiraled out of control on social media, with reputable international institutions and personalities constantly having to deny involvement as backing either side, mostly the Jubilee side.
So far, letters and memos authored purportedly by reputable organizations like the US Institute of Peace, non-prof organization Vanguard Africa, European Union, Africa Union to now videos purportedly done by media entities like CNN and BBC have all been produced and shared online in a bid to mislead gullible Kenyan voters – and they are many – into voting for either side.
NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga has been the victim of most of the fakeries, which often either purport to endorse President Uhuru or warn Kenyans against voting for Raila.
There is also a full propaganda website – therealraila.com – that also runs dirty propaganda on the NASA Presidential candidate.
While most organizations initially ignored whenever fake letters or memos were authored on their behalf, CNN and BBC appear to be breaking with this past, with the two media houses openly calling the purported videos now doing rounds on Kenyan social media space endorsing President Uhuru as “fake news” and warning the public against believing them.
The BBC is aware of a fake video circulating on WhatsApp about the #Kenya Election. This is NOT a BBC story. Don’t fall for #fakenews! pic.twitter.com/Asn9zdhy6A
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) July 28, 2017
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This report on Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is fake. CNN did not produce or broadcast this story.
— CNN International PR (@CNNPRUK) July 27, 2017
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