February 17, 2023
Kenya: Kenya's 'Ksh500 Billion Government Borrowing' Furore - What the Data Showed
In January 2023, Kenya's most widely read newspaper corrected a story attributing an eye-catching borrowing spree to the country's new government. Read more »
Uganda: No, Image of Ugandan Opposition Leader Bobi Wine in Front of Gay Rights Banner Has Been Doctored
IN SHORT: Gay rights are controversial in Uganda, where homosexuality is outlawed. An image that seems to show a popular opposition leader in the country supporting LGBTQI rights… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Another Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan Church
IN SHORT: Popular Kenyan preacher Ezekiel Odero and his New Life Prayer church are frequent victims of impersonation online. This Facebook page offering prayers in return for money… Read more »
Kenya: No, Kenyan President's Daughter Not Giving Away Motorbikes - Facebook Page Fake
IN SHORT: A Facebook page using the name and photos of Charlene Ruto offers free and low-cost motorbikes - a popular form of transport in Kenya - and jobs in Dubai. But it's run by… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Scam Facebook Page Offering to Boost Your Fuliza Overdraft Limit
The Facebook page Maria Citizen Yasmeen is promising Kenyans it can boost the borrowing limit for a popular overdraft service to KSh100,000 in just two minutes. Read more »
February 15, 2023
Nigeria: No Evidence Presidential Candidate Obi Bribed Major Churches in Return for Votes
IN SHORT: Peter Obi is the only Christian candidate among the four frontrunners in the race for the presidency of Nigeria, a country often riven by its Muslim-Christian divide.… Read more »
February 10, 2023
Kenya: No, Kenya's Family Bank Not Offering Soft Loans On Whatsapp
IN SHORT: The loan terms are attractive. But the offer isn't real - and it's probably a scam. Read more »
Africa: No Evidence That DNA From Semen Stays in Woman's Body 'Forever'
IN SHORT: If you have unprotected sex with a man, does the DNA from his semen stay in your body "forever"? No, of course not. There's no evidence for this… Read more »
Kenya: Beware Facebook Page Impersonating Former Kenyan President Kenyatta
IN SHORT: The page uses Uhuru Kenyatta's name and photos, and its posts attract thousands of responses. But it's run by an imposter. Read more »
Uganda: No, Uganda's Exams Board Hasn't 'Lost' Students' Crucial Results to Hackers - Tweet Fake
IN SHORT: The Twitter post could have students breaking out in a sweat. But the Uganda National Examinations Board didn't announce that its systems had been hacked. Mercifully, the… Read more »
Uganda: Cash Valentine's Gifts Risk Prison in Uganda? No, Warning Fake
IN SHORT: Ugandans who give money to their beloveds on Valentine's Day won't land up in prison. The "public notice" isn't from the Bank of Uganda. Read more »
Kenya: Kenyan Actor Ogana Can Boost Your Fuliza Loan Limit? No, Facebook Page a Scam
IN SHORT: Brian Ogana, the star of the popular Kenyan TV drama Maria, has hundreds of thousands of Facebook followers. He has no reason to run another Facebook page offering dodgy… Read more »
Africa: Don't Be Fooled - Ignore Facebook Page Advertising Policing, Firefighting and Nursing Training in South Africa
IN SHORT: South African job-seekers should steer away from Facebook posts offering opportunities in the correctional services. Read more »
Nigeria: Nigerian Governing Party APC's Bola Tinubu Denies Blaming His Own Government for Fuel and Currency Shortages
IN SHORT: With presidential elections in Nigeria only weeks away, a fallout in the governing party would be controversial. But a post doing the rounds online claiming this is… Read more »
February 09, 2023
South Africa: 2022 SONA Promises - South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa Zero for Two On State Utilities Eskom and Transnet
As president Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver his state of the nation address for 2023, we look back at two promises made a year ago he and his government have not kept. Read more »
February 08, 2023
Nigeria: #LagosRace2023 - Fact-Checking Claims By Candidates Seeking to Govern Nigeria's Economic Capital
The current state governor was a no-show at the #ThePlatformNG debate, leaving three other candidates to outline their plans for Lagos. Read more »
February 06, 2023
Africa: 'Fraudulent and Misleading' - Why Pricey Herbal Mix Touted As a Remedy for HIV Falls Flat
While widespread antiretroviral treatment has drastically changed the lives of people with HIV, there is still no cure for the virus which infects an estimated 38 million people… Read more »
February 03, 2023
Zimbabwe: Road Riddled With Potholes in Harare, Zimbabwe? No, Photo From India
IN SHORT: Zimbabwe's road infrastructure may be crumbling, but a photo shared widely on social media of a road riddled with truly massive potholes is not from the southern African… Read more »
Tanzania: Tanzania Banned Use of Kiswahili in Secondary Schools? No, Online Claims Are False
IN SHORT: With Tanzanians widely associated with Kiswahili, perhaps more than any other country, a ban on using the language as a medium of instruction would be surprising. Read more »
February 02, 2023
Nigeria: No Evidence Influential Nigerian Actor Omotola Jalade Ekeinde Has Backed Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi
IN SHORT: A quote doing the rounds on social media in Nigeria suggests Peter Obi, one of Nigeria's presidential candidates, has bagged the support of an influential actor. But the… Read more »
Nigeria: No, Nigeria's Labour Party Presidential Candidate Obi Hasn't Changed His Running Mate
IN SHORT: Posts on social media claim that just weeks before the presidential election, Peter Obi has sensationally ditched his running mate for a prominent activist. But this is… Read more »
Nigeria: 'Nothing Under This Government' - Fact-Checking Five Claims About Record of Nigeria's Governing APC Party
Sam Ohuabunwa, a key member of Nigeria's main opposition PDP party, gave a scathing review of outgoing president Muhammadu Buhari's administration. Did he get his facts right? Read more »
Nigeria: No, Nigeria's APC Campaign Spokesperson Festus Keyamo Did Not Say Two Presidential Candidates Should Step Down for Each Other
IN SHORT: According to a quote posted on social media, the spokesperson of Nigeria's ruling party, Festus Keyamo, said two of the front-runners in the upcoming presidential… Read more »
February 01, 2023
Nigeria: No Evidence Daughter of Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar Said Father Would 'Deal With' Disgruntled Rivers State Governor
IN SHORT: Threatening remarks have been attributed to Hauwa Atiku-Uwais, daughter of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the opposition People's Democratic Party and a… Read more »
Africa: Visa Lottery Application to Live and Work in the U.S.? Beware of Another Engagement Bait Scam
IN SHORT: While many young people on the African continent are keen to make a life in the United States, they would be advised to steer clear of this "registration portal". Read more »