Fact-Check: Misleading Claims of Kalonzo Musyoka Seeking Pact with Ruto
A fraudulent front page alleging that Kalonzo Musyoka sought a political pact with President Ruto has circulated on social media. Official fact-checking revealed the front page is fake, with clear discrepancies when compared to genuine Daily Nation issues. The situation reflects ongoing political realignments in Kenya as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
Recent social media claims suggest that Kenyan opposition politician Kalonzo Musyoka sought a political alliance with President William Ruto in Mombasa, as purportedly reported by the Daily Nation. However, this claim is based on a fraudulent front page of the newspaper. The misleading front page, dated February 26, 2025, features a sensational headline stating, “Kalonzo camps in Mombasa, seeks Ruto’s ‘handshake,’” accompanied by a summary that criticizes Musyoka’s political strategy.
Mombasa, noted as Kenya’s second-largest city, is significant in this political narrative. Musyoka, leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement party, has been under pressure due to changing alliances and failed political bids, notably following Raila Odinga’s defeat in seeking the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position. This has incited speculation regarding new alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although there has been a shift in relations between President Ruto and Odinga, with allies from Odinga’s camp joining the government, Musyoka’s link to Ruto remains tenuous. The Daily Nation’s authenticity was scrutinized. A comparison revealed that the alleged front page is altered; notably, the title was changed to “NATION DAILY” and the font differed from the standard. The actual front page instead highlighted financial matters related to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
On February 28, the Daily Nation’s official channels labeled the circulating front page as fake, advising the public to disregard it. Furthermore, the communication emphasized the danger of misinformation and stipulated the outlets through which this deceptive content had been circulated. Users were encouraged to report such falsified information to mitigate its spread.
The allegations regarding Kalonzo Musyoka seeking a political arrangement with President William Ruto are based on a fake Daily Nation front page. This fabrication takes advantage of ongoing political shifts in Kenya as parties strategize for the upcoming elections. Verification efforts revealed distinct differences between the authentic publication and the fake, ultimately underscoring the crucial need for media literacy and vigilance against misinformation.
Original Source: africacheck.org
