Kenya: Beware of Fake Facebook Account Running Promotions in the Name of Kenya's Nakuru County Woman Representative Liz Chelule

19 May 2023
Africa Check (Johannesburg)
By Grace Gichuhi

IN SHORT: Given the legislator's leadership position, many would be easily fooled if she were to offer promotions and loans. But this is a fake account.

Loans are available for Kenyans living in the Rift Valley county of Nakuru - at least that's what the Facebook account Hon Liz Chelule claims.

Nakuru is about two hours away from Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

The account uses the name and photo of Nakuru county woman representative Liza Chelule.

Each of Kenya's 47 counties has a woman representative in the national assembly.

One post, dated 6 May 2023, shows an image with text that reads: "Are you looking for Loan? Home loan; Personal loan; Business loan; Loan Against Property."

The post thanks those who "received their Loans, promotions and lipa mdogo mdogo Motorbike today from my Inua jamii project. The loan is available to anyone interested".

Those keen are asked to inbox "INTERESTED" for more information.

Lipa Mdogo Mdogo is an instalment payment plan offered by Safaricom, a Kenyan mobile network operator. But it is for the purchase of cellphones, not motorbikes.

Inua Jamii refers to the Kenyan government programme that gives cash grants to poor and vulnerable people. "Inua Jamii" is Kiswahili for "uplift the community".

On 1 May, the account posted what appeared to be testimonials from Kenyans who had received loans, congratulating them and inviting more interested people to send a message to its inbox.

In another post, dated 30 April, the page announced that it would donate 14 motorcycles to 14 people who hadn't benefited from any of its projects.

But is this Facebook account really that of Chelule? We checked.

Ignore fake Facebook account, says legislator

Chelule's official Facebook page has 23,000 followers and was created on 7 September 2018.

On 11 May 2023, Chelule flagged the account posting the promotions as "FAKE" and urged the public to report it.

"ATTENTION everyone! It has come to my attention that there is a FAKE social media accounts claiming to be me. Please be aware that this account is NOT mine and any messages or posts from it are not authorized," Chelule wrote.

She also said: "Please help me spread the word and report this account to the relevant authorities. Thank you!"

Fake social media profiles claiming to belong to those in leadership positions are often used to scam the public. You can protect yourself and others from scams by reporting these accounts.

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

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