June 23, 2023
Kenya: No, This Tiktok Video Does Not Show 'Hidden' Photos From the Kenyan Starvation Cult
IN SHORT: A video on TikTok claims to reveal never-seen-before photos of starving people in Kenya's Shakahola forest, the site of mass starvation deaths allegedly encouraged by a… Read more »
South Africa: No, Waivers for Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders Misunderstood
IN SHORT: South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has clarified that their approval of waiver applications are meant to allow Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders in the country to… Read more »
Nigeria: Nigeria's Corruption Agency Distances Itself From Social Media Posts Advertising Exam 'Past Questions and Answers'
IN SHORT: The ICPC says it has not published any past recruitment exams with answers. The documents circulating online may be aimed at scamming people. Read more »
Africa: No, This Herbal Recipe Won't 'Cleanse' the Uterus - Consult Doctors Instead
IN SHORT: A Facebook post claims its recommended recipe will "cleanse" the uterus. But experts say there is no evidence of this. Read more »
Africa: No, Infusion of Eggplant Leaves Can't 'Wash' Kidneys - See a Doctor Instead
IN SHORT: A Facebook post circulating in Nigeria claims that the leaves of the garden egg plant, or aubergine, can be used to "wash" the kidneys. Experts say this isn't true. Read more »
Kenya: Kenyans Beware, These Facebook Pages Offering Big Discounts On Water Tanks Are Trying to Scam You
IN SHORT: "Kentank", a brand name used by one of Kenya's major water tank manufacturers, is being used by at least two fake accounts on Facebook to scam the public. Don't fall for… Read more »
Kenya: Viral Video Showing Plane Landing On Dusty Airstrip Not From Kenya
IN SHORT: Renegade Air has successfully launched a new route in Kenya but false claims around that achievement have also flown on social media. Its first flight to Homa Bay county… Read more »
June 22, 2023
Nigeria: Nigerians Beware, a Fake AIT News Facebook Account Is Out to Scam You!
IN SHORT: Africa Check has exposed several Facebook accounts falsely claiming to offer investment services. This is another one impersonating broadcaster AIT, promising Nigerians… Read more »
Uganda: No, Ugandan President Museveni Is Not Dead. 'State House Uganda' Tweet Announcing His Demise Is Fake
While president Yoweri Museveni contracted Covid-19, he is alive and well, according to official reports. Read more »
Nigeria: No, Police Officer Mohammed Umar Abba Has Not Taken Over As Acting Chair of Nigeria's Financial Crimes Commission After Abdulrasheed Bawa's Suspension in June 2023
IN SHORT: A photo of police officer Mohammed Umar Abba is circulating on social media in Nigeria, with the claim that he has been appointed chair of the EFCC following former chair… Read more »
Nigeria: No Evidence That Nigeria's President Has Ordered All Local Oil Refineries Be Fully Operational Within Six Months
IN SHORT: President Bola Tinubu has made some bold calls since he was sworn in on 29 May 2023. But ordering ailing oil refineries into operation is not one of them. Read more »
Nigeria: No, Video Doesn't Show Dollars Found in Nigeria's Ousted Central Bank Chief's House
IN SHORT: After the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria was not only suspended but arrested, too, rumours have swirled in the country. But this viral video of piles of dollar… Read more »
Kenya: It's a Scam! Beware of Facebook Account Claiming to Offer Loans in the Name of Kenyan Politician Aisha Jumwa
IN SHORT: A cabinet secretary offering loans to Kenyans would entice many to sign up. This account claiming to belong to her hopes people will fall for its scams. Read more »
June 21, 2023
Kenya: Is Shoe Company Bata On the Verge of Closing Down in Kenya? No, Ignore Rumours Circulating On Social Media
IN SHORT: With over a 100 years in business, Bata is one of the biggest shoe manufacturers in Kenya. But rumours that it is about to close down, with jobs at risk, are false. Read more »
Kenya: Don't Be Scammed! Kenyan Actor Mwanasha Johari Is Not Running Promotions On Facebook
IN SHORT: Fraudsters looking to make money out of Facebook users often impersonate celebrities. In this case, they're using actor Mwanasha Johari's name - this Facebook page is not… Read more »
June 20, 2023
Africa: Is HIV/Aids Misinformation and Denialism On the Rise Again? How to Counter Persistent Myths
Well-worn untruths about HIV/Aids took a backseat during the Covid-19 pandemic. But vigilance against Aids denialism is important, particularly in Africa where access to accurate… Read more »
Africa: Factsheet - 'Back to the Basics' - Seven Questions About HIV and Aids Answered
The WHO has announced Covid-19 is no longer considered to be at the health agency's highest level of alert, and so the world can focus on other health challenges, such as managing… Read more »
June 19, 2023
Kenya: Did a Plane Crash At Kenya's Largest Airport As Claimed in Several Photos Online? No, It Was a Drill
IN SHORT: Several videos on social media claim to show photos of a plane crash at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The port manager says it was an emergency drill. Read more »
Kenya: No, Citizen TV Kenya Didn't Tweet About Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni Getting Admitted to Intensive Care
IN SHORT: Uganda's long-term ruler contracted Covid-19, but claims that a popular Kenyan TV station reported of his worsening condition are false. Read more »
Uganda: Ignore False Claims That Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni Is Dead
IN SHORT: Following his bout with a mild case of Covid-19, many social media posts claimed that Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni had died. This is not true. Read more »
June 15, 2023
Nigeria: Scam Alert! Ignore Fake BBC News Page in Nigeria Tempting You to Double Your Money On Their Investment Platform
IN SHORT: Africa Check has exposed several Facebook accounts falsely claiming to offer investment services. This is yet another scam account, impersonating BBC News and asking… Read more »
Nigeria: Beware! Guide 'Against Bank Account Hackers' Is Not From Nigeria's Central Bank
IN SHORT: While the country's main bank would want to protect Nigerians from bank account fraud, a guide purporting to be from it is more likely to get the faithful into trouble. Read more »
Africa: Dangerous Quackery - Why You Can't Cure Cancer By 'Detoxifying' the Body or Balancing Ph Levels
The internet generally and social media in particular is awash in quack cures for serious diseases. But there is little evidence for curing cancer through either detoxing or… Read more »
Kenya: Did the Kenyan President Threaten to Sack Legislators Who Would Oppose a Key Finance Bill?
IN SHORT: A video posted on TikTok is captioned as though Kenyan president William Ruto threatened to "fire" members of parliament who voted against his party's proposed bill. But… Read more »
Kenya: Don't Be Conned By Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan First Lady and Offering Loans
IN SHORT: Kenya's first lady Rachel Ruto does not have a Facebook account specifically dedicated to offering loans to the public. Ignore all posts that make these scam offers. Read more »