Fabricated Quote Targets Kenya’s Kikuyu Community Amid Political Realignments
A graphic falsely quoting Kenyan Governor Wavinya Ndeti as saying the Kikuyu community is untrustworthy is circulating online. The statement, which suggests favoring President Ruto over the Kikuyus, is unverified and branded as fake by The Star. Ethnic politics continue to play a critical role in Kenya as political dynamics evolve in light of the upcoming elections.
As Kenya gears up for the 2027 general elections, a misleading graphic featuring Kenyan governor Wavinya Ndeti is circulating online. Allegedly, Ndeti asserts that the Kikuyu community cannot be trusted in political alliances, favoring instead a pact with President William Ruto. However, this statement is fabricated and lacks authenticity.
Wavinya Ndeti, the governor of Machakos County, is misquoted in a graphic that claims, “These Kikuyus will betray Kalonzo, we are better off making a deal with Ruto. He is more trustworthy.” This graphic misleadingly features her image along with the logo of the Kenyan news outlet, The Star, suggesting it originated from them.
The Kikuyu community, primarily located in central Kenya, is the nation’s largest ethnic group, numbering over eight million according to the 2019 census. Wavinya Ndeti, elected on the Wiper Party ticket in August 2022, has no history of making such derogatory remarks towards the Kikuyu, a community often associated with Kenyan politics alongside figures like Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper Party.
The emergence of this false quote coincides with increasing political solidarity among opposition figures, who are strategizing for the upcoming elections, as seen during a recent event organized by Martha Karua, where traditional party lines were redrawn. Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, a Kikuyu leader, has also faced scrutiny for his past political actions which included divisive rhetoric.
The urgency for clarity arises amidst Kenya’s complex ethnic political landscape, characterized by historical betrayals and alliances, particularly within the Kikuyu faction. The circulation of the graphic has raised alarm among political observers who note the historical context of betrayal within Kenyan politics, referencing former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s unexpected endorsement of Raila Odinga in 2022.
Upon verifying the graphic, it became apparent that there were significant discrepancies when compared to genuine posts by The Star. The authentic graphics from the news outlet include specific features such as speech balloons and proper formatting, which the circulating graphic lacks. The Star officially declared the graphic as “fake” on its social media on 27 February 2025, urging individuals to disregard it.
In conclusion, the graphic attributing false statements to Governor Wavinya Ndeti regarding the Kikuyu community is proven to be a fabrication. It highlights the ongoing challenges of misinformation in political contexts, especially as Kenya approaches the significant 2027 elections. Continued vigilance and fact-checking are necessary to prevent the spread of such deceptive materials in the political arena.
Original Source: africacheck.org
