May 11, 2023
Nigeria: Nigerian Govt Disowns Widely Shared 'Inauguration Programme' for New President's Swearing-in
IN SHORT: A programme of activities for the swearing-in of Nigerian president-elect Bola Tinubu has been circulating on social media. Disregard it, officials say. Read more »
May 10, 2023
Africa: No, Photo Isn't of Malaysian Plane That Disappeared in 2014, but of Artificial Reef Off the Coast of Jordan
IN SHORT: The Malaysian passenger flight that went missing in 2014 has not been found and the viral photo showing a plane under water is unrelated. Read more »
Africa: No, You Won't Fall Victim to Phishing If You Share Greeting Messages On Whatsapp. This Old Hoax Is Still False
IN SHORT: Sending a "good morning" message via WhatsApp is harmless and we can prove it. So don't fall for this old hoax, which claims that doing this can give hackers access to… Read more »
Kenya: Did a Kenyan Newspaper Jab At Tribal Appointments to Government? No, Front Page Doctored
IN SHORT: The front page of a Kiswahili-language newspaper circulating on social media, with a headline story that appears to stoke tribal tensions, is falsified. It's been… Read more »
May 09, 2023
Nigeria: 4 Questions Answered About the Testing of Instant Noodles By the Nigerian Food and Drug Administration After Asia Scare
Noodles are popular in Nigeria. Read more »
May 08, 2023
Nigeria: Did Nigerian Opposition Leader Peter Obi Visit President-Elect Bola Tinubu? No, Image Is Manipulated
IN SHORT: With Peter Obi challenging Bola Tinubu's presidential election victory in court, a visit to his rival would be newsworthy. But that visit did not happen. Read more »
May 05, 2023
Kenya: No, Photo Shows Nigerian Student Who Fasted for Weeks, Not Man On Hunger Strike Demanding Release of Kenyan Cult Leader
As Kenya digests the grim story of several deaths linked to a cult, a photo, claimed to show a supporter of the cult's leader, is instead from Nigeria. Read more »
Kenya: Did Kenya's Defence Minister Admit Opposition Leader Raila Odinga Won the 2022 Presidential Election? No, Video Has Been Edited
IN SHORT: A clip is circulating online with the claim it shows Kenyan defence minister Aden Duale admitting that veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga won the 2022 general… Read more »
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 »
Kenya: No, Scam Facebook Account Offering Promotions Not Run By Kenyan Actor Blessing Lung'aho
IN SHORT: A Facebook account using the name and photos of Kenyan actor Blessing Lung'aho promises easy cash prizes. But it's another scam. Read more »
Nigeria: No, Nigeria's Central Bank Has No Plans to Phase Out Recently Released Naira Notes
Just months after a redesign of Nigeria's currency, posts on Facebook claim the new notes are on their way out. Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Fake Facebook Account Impersonating Popular Kenyan TV News Presenter
IN SHORT: Scammers are posing as Citizen TV news anchor Rashid Abdalla, promising gifts - but only if you pay an "unlocking" fee. Steer clear. Read more »
May 04, 2023
South Africa: No Evidence Undocumented Immigrants 'Contribute Massively' to Crime and 'Nothing' to South Africa's Economy
Experts say there is no evidence that undocumented immigrants contribute disproportionately to South Africa's crime levels. Read more »
May 03, 2023
Nigeria: Did Nigeria's Former Transport Minister Call President-Elect Bola Tinubu a Drug Baron? No, but Debunked Quote Still Circulating
IN SHORT: Former minister and Rivers state governor Chibuike Amaechi has been critical of his party-mate, Nigeria's president-elect Bola Tinubu. But he did not go so far as to… Read more »
April 28, 2023
Africa: No, Leaves From Plantain Plant Not a Remedy for Venomous Snake Bites and Scorpion Stings
A Facebook post circulating in Nigeria claims that the leaves of the plantain plant can treat a venomous snake bite or scorpion sting. But antivenoms, administered by a healthcare… Read more »
Africa: No, Google Does Not Specifically Exclude Christian Holidays Like Easter From Google Doodles
IN SHORT: Is tech giant Google waging a war against Christianity, exemplified by it excluding Christian holidays like Easter from its Google Doodle feature? Quite simply, no. Read more »
Uganda: Uganda Cult Massacre Victims? No, Photo of an Oil Tanker Explosion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
IN SHORT: A graphic image of several charred bodies is being shared on social media in Kenya, with the claim it shows a sectarian massacre in Uganda in 2000. While the incident did… Read more »
Uganda: No, Ugandan State Minister Agnes Nandutu Didn't Try to Escape From Prison
IN SHORT: A scandal involving politicians skimming off roofing sheets meant for Uganda's poor continues to captivate the public. But claims that a minister, detained by the police,… Read more »
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 »
Nigeria: No, Nigerian Senator Ike Ekweremadu Not 'Serving 10-Year Jail Term' in the UK, Yet to Be Sentenced
IN SHORT: A kidney transplant saga ended with the senator and two co-conspirators convicted. But the three have not yet been sentenced. Read more »
Kenya: No, Photo Doesn't Show Suspected Cult Leader Attending Religious Ceremony at President's Residence
IN SHORT: In April 2023 Kenya was gripped by horrifying developments in the coastal county of Kilifi, where dozens of bodies have been exhumed, apparently members of a Christian… 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 »