Fact Check: Viral Video Misattributes 2025 Deportations to 2017 News Report
A viral video misattributed to KTN News falsely claims deportations of Kenyans and Somalis in 2025. A reverse image search indicates that the footage is from 2017, showing a past incident of deportations, not the current claims. President Trump’s administration’s increased deportations and requests for funding for immigration enforcement have stirred public concern, which this misinformation exacerbates.
A viral video falsely attributes a report regarding deportations of Kenyans and Somalis from the United States in 2025 to KTN News. A reverse image search shows that the footage is actually from 2017, negating any connection to the purported 2025 deportations. This misinformation spread particularly after Donald Trump commenced his second presidency on January 20, 2025, during which his policies led to increased immigration enforcement and deportations.
Since the beginning of his second term, President Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, seeking additional funding for deportation efforts. In his recent address to Congress, he underscored the need for enhanced border security. Notably, official data reveals that 37,660 individuals were deported during Trump’s first month in office, a figure lower than the monthly average of 57,000 deportations recorded during former President Joe Biden’s tenure.
A specific video featuring former KTN reporter Betty Kyallo has gained traction on Facebook, claiming that KTN reported on deportations involving “64 Somalis and 7 Kenyans.” The names listed in the video, which have resurfaced online, match those of deportees from a 2017 news bulletin and are erroneously linked to current events.
Despite the claims being disseminated as recent news, critical facts reveal otherwise. KTN News actually ceased operations in 2024 and merged with KTN Home. Furthermore, Kyallo had departed the station in August 2018, making her reporting on events in 2025 impossible. A detailed reverse image search confirms that the video originates from May 12, 2017, focusing on a previous incident involving deportations, thus disproving the current claims.
Disseminated misinformation such as this not only misguides public perception but can also incite unwarranted concern within the Kenyan community in the U.S. Therefore, it is crucial to address and clarify such inaccuracies to ensure the public receives truthful information about immigration and deportation policies under the current administration.
In conclusion, the viral video claiming that KTN News reported on the deportations of Kenyans and Somalis from the U.S. in 2025 is based on outdated footage from 2017. The erroneous connection to current policies under President Trump misleadingly incites fear within the Kenyan community abroad. This situation underscores the importance of verifying sources and information before dissemination, particularly in the context of immigration-related issues affecting numerous individuals.
Original Source: africacheck.org
