Kenya: No, NTV Kenya Didn't Report That Thugs Broke Into Estate of Senator Aaron Cheruiyot

30 May 2023
Africa Check (Johannesburg)
By Makinia Juma Sylvia

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 Kenya.

A screenshot of what appears to be a Facebook post by the private broadcaster NTV Kenya was posted on social media in Kenya on 28 May 2023. The station has national reach.

It reads: "Thugs Break Into Senator Cheruiyot's Samburet estate Home, Steal Ksh.1.1M In Cash and other other items."

The screenshot shows a photo of Aaron Cheruiyot, the senator for Kericho county, which is about 264 kilometres northwest of the capital Nairobi.

He is also the majority leader in the senate of Kenya's United Democratic Alliance party.

The screenshot was also posted to a public Facebook group with over 40,000 members.

Kenyans would be concerned for their own safety if even a high-profile, protected public figure like Cheruyiot was to fall victim to crime.

But is the claim true and did NTV Kenya report that thugs broke into senator Cheruiyot's estate? We checked.

'Be aware of fake news'

The alleged break-in has not been reported by any credible media outlet. And it does not appear anywhere on Cheruiyot's Twitter account.

Africa Check was also unable to find the post on NTV Kenya's verified Facebook page.

On 29 May, the channel took to Facebook and Twitter to warn people that the post did not come from them.

"Be aware of fake news! If it is not on our official social media pages, it is fake," it wrote.

You can report accounts that spread fake news here and here.

Read the original story, with links and other resources.
Africa Check is a non-partisan organisation which promotes accuracy in public debate and in the media. Twitter @AfricaCheck and www.africacheck.org

Tagged:
Copyright © 2023 Africa Check. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.