May 31, 2023
Kenya: Kenyan President William Ruto Sparred With Journalists Over His Policies. Did He Get His Facts Right?
Ahead of his government's eagerly anticipated first annual budget, to be presented mid-June 2023, Ruto made a number of claims in a sit-down with journalists. How did he fare with… Read more »
Kenya: Did Kenya's Presidential Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed Resign Over 'Rampant Corruption' in Government? No, Ignore False Claim
IN SHORT: Following the recent resignation of a principal secretary in Kenya, false claims have been made on social media that other government officials have resigned. But Hussein… Read more »
South Africa: No Vampires Here - South Africans Don't Usually Pay for Blood Transfusions and Aren't Paid to Donate
IN SHORT: South Africans were understandably alarmed by rumours that they would have to pay over R3,000 per pint of blood if they needed a blood transfusion, even if they were… Read more »
Kenya: Don't Be Conned By Facebook Page Impersonating Kenyan Actor Jackie Matubia
IN SHORT: Scammers in Kenya often impersonate celebrities to carry out their schemes. Read more »
Africa: No, Guardian Columnist George Monbiot Didn't Say He's Had COVID 23 Times - Fake Headline and Op-ED
An odd bit of Britain's anti-vax politics has spread around the world in a screenshot that seems to have journalist George Monbiot saying, among other things, that "billions of… Read more »
Kenya: Photos Show Protests Against Government in Kisumu, Kenya, Not in Support of Reformed Gang Leader in Nyahururu Town
A Twitter post purporting to show photos of recent protests in Nyahururu town over the arrest of opposition-allied Maina Njenga is misleading. The photos are of a different protest… Read more »
Africa: Did Gaddafi Plan to Introduce an African Currency Backed By Gold Reserves? Maybe, but There's Little Evidence for This
Over the years we've frequently seen the claim that former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had plans to introduce an international currency. But as with so many details of Gaddafi's… Read more »
South Africa: Don't Believe Images of Satanic Figures Reading to Children - 'Baphomet Book Club' Photos Are Ai-Generated
Artificial intelligence may lead to exciting innovation, but it also has a dark side. It's been used to generate images of children taking part in "satanic education rituals" which… Read more »
Kenya: Kenyans, Don't Be Conned By Another Imposter Facebook Page Offering 'Inua Jamii' Loans
Kenya is seeing more and more fake Facebook pages claiming to offer Inua Jamii loans. Those behind these pages prey on the poor and these posts should be ignored. Read more »
Africa: No, Guardian Columnist Monbiot Didn't Say He's Had COVID 23 Times - Fake Headline and Op-ED
An odd bit of Britain's antivax politics has spread around the world in a screenshot that seems to have journalist George Monbiot saying, among other things, that "billions of kids… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Another Facebook Page in Kenya Promising Instant Riches Through Joining the Illuminati
IN SHORT: A Facebook page in Kenya claims to offer cash and other prizes, through joining "the Illuminati brotherhood". But it's just another scam, making use of a well-known type… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Facebook Account Impersonating Kenyan Digital Credit Provider and Offering Loans
Being asked to pay a fee in order to access a loan is a clear sign of a scam. That's the method used by a Facebook page impersonating Zenka Kenya, and its ads should be ignored. Read more »
Africa: Don't Believe Remedy That 'Cures the Disease Effectively' - There Is Still No One-Size-Fits-All Cure for Cancer
IN SHORT: Cancer is a large group of diseases, with a variety of treatments tailored to the type of cancer and how far it has progressed. Claims that a herbal remedy offers a cure… Read more »
May 30, 2023
South Africa: No, Apeel's Edible 'Peel' Won't 'Kill You Slowly' and Is Not Grown On Bill Gates's Farm
IN SHORT: Facebook posts have claimed that produce labelled "Apeel" should not be eaten. But Apeel's plant-based coating is safe and "designed to be consumed". Read more »
Kenya: No, Kenya's Attorney General Justin Muturi Has Not Resigned
IN SHORT: Online claims that Kenya's attorney general has quit, days after another high-profile resignation, are false, his office said. Read more »
Nigeria: No, Influential Former Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike Didn't Say Peter Obi Won Nigeria's 2023 Presidential Election
IN SHORT: As the Labour Party's presidential candidate Peter Obi challenges the result of Nigeria's February 2023 election, online claims have been made that he has received… Read more »
Nigeria: No, Nigeria's Food Regulator Has Not Banned Instant Noodles Imports Over Fears They May Cause Cancer
IN SHORT: With Nigeria being a major market for instant noodles, claims that the food has been banned because of cancer fears have been widely shared. But they are inaccurate. Read more »
Kenya: No, NTV Kenya Didn't Report That Thugs Broke Into Estate of Senator Aaron Cheruiyot
IN SHORT: Online claims that the estate of Aaron Cheruiyot, who is a sitting senator, was invaded by thugs are false. The reports didn't originate from the private broadcaster NTV… Read more »
Kenya: Are These Photos of Long-Awaited Cheap Cooking Gas Cylinders Being Sold to the Public in Kenya? No, They Were Gifts
IN SHORT: Photos circulating on social media claim to show distribution of the low cost cooking gas promised by president William Ruto in some parts of the country. This is not… Read more »
Nigeria: No Evidence That Nigeria's Electoral Chief's Son Has 'Run Mad', Claims Refuted
IN SHORT: As court challenges to election results are heard across the country, the family of Nigeria's electoral commission chair is among those targeted with unsubstantiated… Read more »
May 29, 2023
Kenya: Scam Alert! Beware of Fake Job Ad for Various Positions At Nairobi's Popular Quiver Lounge And Grill
IN SHORT: One of the most frequented entertainment venues in the Kenyan capital is not hiring, despite what an ad posted on Facebook would have you believe. Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Imposter Facebook Page Promising Big Discounts On Toptank Water Tanks
A discount of up to 40% on water tanks from TopTank sounds too good to be true, and it is. Be careful not to get scammed by this Facebook page claiming to belong to the Kenyan… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Facebook Page Impersonating Kenya's Citizen TV News Anchor Mashirima Kapombe and Offering Promotions
IN SHORT: We've seen it before and we'll see it again - a Facebook page pretending to be a Kenyan celebrity, promising users quick cash for engagement. This one, in the name of… Read more »
Kenya: Beware of Scam - Facebook Account 'Hon Williams' Offering Loans Not Run By Kenyan President
Offers of loans and grants from William Ruto would normally attract many hoping for presidential help. Such offers are also unlikely to be legitimate. Read more »
Uganda: No, Ugandan Blogger Barista Timo Not Wanted By Police in Connection With Murder - Ignore Fake Poster
IN SHORT: Ugandan police have dismissed as fake a "wanted" poster of blogger Barista Timo, following the death of a prominent video blogger in the country. Read more »