May 05, 2023
Nigeria: No, Nigerian Postal Service Isn't Recruiting
IN SHORT: A number of posts on social media claim to link to a portal through which Nigeria's postal service is recruiting staff. But the post office has distanced itself from the… Read more »
April 28, 2023
South Africa: No, Russian President Vladimir Putin Did Not Wish Former South African President Jacob Zuma Happy Birthday
IN SHORT: Much has been made of the South African government's close ties to Russia following news that the country will host Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2023. But images… Read more »
April 27, 2023
Nigeria: 'Blame Peter Obi If I Fail to Become Senate President'? No, Quote Attributed to Nigerian Senator Orji Uzor Kalu Is False
IN SHORT: As Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi challenges the 2023 presidential election result in court, the spotlight is on the political race to lead the senate. But a… Read more »
Kenya: No, Photo of Kenya's First Lady Rachel Ruto At Prayer Meeting With Suspected Cult Leader Paul Mackenzie Is Fake, Doctored
IN SHORT: Kenya has been gripped by horrifying developments in the coastal county of Kilifi, where dozens of bodies have been exhumed, apparently members of a Christian death cult.… Read more »
Kenya: Veteran Kenyan Politician Raila Odinga Appointed Security Company Chair? No, Impersonator Accounts Share Altered Image
IN SHORT: A claim that the former Kenyan presidential candidate has been picked to head an international private security firm is based on a doctored image. Read more »
Nigeria: Still No Evidence of UK Government Apology to Nigerian Presidential Candidate Peter Obi Over Heathrow Airport Detention
IN SHORT: An embarrassing incident where leading Nigerian politician Peter Obi was detained in the UK attracted plenty of news coverage. But the UK has not apologised, despite… Read more »
Nigeria: No, Nigeria's Financial Crimes Commission Did Not Arrest Former Minister of Aviation in April 2023
IN SHORT: Despite claims on social media, Nigeria's former minister of aviation hasn't been arrested in 2023 - the rumours hark back to an incident in November 2021. Read more »
April 20, 2023
Kenya: Misleading Tiktok Videos Falsely Claim National Assembly Leader Has Apologised for Supporting Governing Party in 2023
IN SHORT: Videos on TikTok claim that Kimani Ichung'wah has apologised for supporting Kenya's governing United Democratic Alliance. Such a political development would be… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan Politician David Murathe
IN SHORT: A page in the name of the former Jubilee Party vice-chairperson has been posting wild insults on Facebook, of anyone from the Kenyan deputy president to international… Read more »
Kenya: Don't Be Conned By Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan President William Ruto and Offering Loans
IN SHORT: A Facebook page trying to profit off the Kenyan president's reputation as a "hustler" claims to offer loans through a government scheme that gives grants to the… Read more »
Nigeria: No, Nigerian Presidential Candidate Peter Obi Hasn't Deleted Tweet Announcing His Resignation From Former Political Party
IN SHORT: There are claims online that Nigerian Labour Party candidate Obi is still a member of another political party, even as he challenges the February 2023 presidential… Read more »
April 19, 2023
Nigeria: No, Nigeria's Opposition Candidate Atiku Abubakar Has Not Retired From Active Politics, 'Press Release' Fake
IN SHORT: The runner-up in Nigeria's February 2023 presidential election has hung up his boots, online claims would have you believe. He denies this. Read more »
April 18, 2023
Nigeria: Has Unemployment in Nigeria Risen Fourfold Since 2015? On the Trail of a Cabinet Minister's Claim
Nigeria's labour and productivity minister Chris Ngige is blaming the country's high unemployment on its economic woes since 2015. But is he right about the scale of the problem? Read more »
Kenya: Did Kenyan Opposition Leader Raila Odinga Apologise to President William Ruto for Demonstrations in 2023? No, Video Shows Event in 2018
IN SHORT: With the two leading candidates in Kenya's 2022 general election still at loggerheads, an apology from one of them, as claimed in a video on social media, would be… Read more »
Nigeria: Nigerian Politician Shared Doctored Picture As False Evidence the Government Helped Free Opposition Leader Peter Obi From Detention in the UK
IN SHORT: Claims are circulating online that the Nigerian government played a role in the release of a presidential candidate from detention in the UK. But the photo offered as… Read more »
Nigeria: No, Nigeria Customs Service Isn't Recruiting, Ignore Fake Online Posts
IN SHORT: Several Facebook posts claim to help you get a job with Nigeria's customs service. They are false, a spokesperson said. Read more »
April 13, 2023
Kenya: Kenyan Lawmaker Linet Chepkorir Didn't Say Kenyan Government Will Print More Money to Pay Civil Servants and Settle Debts
IN SHORT: Many Kenyans are having to count their shillings and cents and civil servants are facing salary delays. But Bomet county women rep Linet Toto didn't suggest the… Read more »
April 12, 2023
Nigeria: No, Nigerian Presidential Candidate Peter Obi Hasn't Congratulated President-Elect Bola Tinubu On His Victory
IN SHORT: Nigeria's Labour Party leader Peter Obi hasn't accepted the 25 February 2023 presidential election and congratulated president elect Bola Tinubu. Social media posts are… Read more »
April 06, 2023
Nigeria: Nigeria's Electoral Body Says Viral Video Doesn't Show an Attack On Its Chair's House
IN SHORT: A video is being shared on social media with the claim it shows youths in northern Nigeria, angry at the outcome of the presidential election, attacking the home of the… Read more »
April 04, 2023
Africa: A Cloudy Outlook? What We Are Learning About Election Disinformation in Africa and What You Can Do About It
As nearly a dozen countries in the region prepare to hold presidential elections, the spread of disinformation is inflaming the continent's political landscape. Will facts prevail… Read more »
March 31, 2023
Nigeria: No, Electoral Commission Website Wasn't Hacked By 'Russian Boy' Who Released 'Authentic' Poll Results
IN SHORT: Despite persistent rumours on social media, there's no evidence that the Nigerian electoral commission's website has been hacked or that the results released by a Russian… Read more »
March 30, 2023
Tanzania: Tanzanian President Makes Undiplomatic Remark About Kenyan Deputy President? No, Graphic Fabricated
IN SHORT: There is a trend of fake news graphics being shared on social media. One such graphic purports to quote Tanzanian leader Samia Saluhu dismissing Kenya's deputy president… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
IN SHORT: As Kenyans grapple with disruptive protests, a Facebook page has been making inflammatory statements in the name of Raila Odinga. It is not the opposition leader's… Read more »
Nigeria: No Evidence South African Opposition Leader Julius Malema Called for Nigeria's Break-Up
IN SHORT: The result of Nigeria's presidential election is being challenged in court. But the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, did not suggest the country… Read more »
March 29, 2023
Nigeria: U.S. Lawyer Off the Mark With 10% Claim About Nigeria's Presidential Election Result
IN SHORT: Because Bola Tinubu got 8.79 million votes from the 87 million Nigerians who collected voter cards ahead of the February 2023 election, he only has a mandate from 10% of… Read more »