Ignore fake graphic claiming Kenyan presidential adviser Moses Kuria confessed to election rigging
IN SHORT: A viral graphic supposedly from Kenyans.co.ke claims that Moses Kuria, a senior adviser to Kenya's Council of Economic Advisors, has admitted to election rigging. But it is fake - its design differs from Kenyans.co.ke's usual style, and no credible source reported this.
A graphic circulating on Facebook attributes a controversial quote to Moses Kuria, a senior advisor to Kenya's Council of Economic Advisors.
The graphic claims that Kuria has confessed to stealing votes in the 2022 general elections.
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The quote reads: "We stole Raila's votes to make Ruto President in 2022 polls. This time, it will be hard to steal from Kalonzo, Gachagua knows our game. It's a one term."
The council advises the president and the government on economic matters and ensures that policies align with the country's development objectives.
The 2022 election was fiercely contested between president William Ruto and Raila Odinga. The two are now allies.
Ruto appointed Rigathi Gachagua as his deputy. But Gachagua was later removed.
Kalonzo Musyoka is a former vice president who has been Odinga's running mate in the past. There is speculation he will form a political alliance with Gachagua against Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections.
This is not the first time Kuria has been linked to such allegations. In 2018, a video surfaced in which the controversial politician appeared to admit to vote manipulation. He later said his remarks were taken out of context, asserting that he said "tuliimba", the Kiswahili phrase for "we sang", and not "tuliiba kura", which translates as "we stole votes."
In 2015, Kuria was the subject of legal action and calls for his arrest after he appeared to incite violence against his political opponents. He alleged vote-rigging in the 2022 elections.
On 27 September 2022, Kuria was appointed the cabinet secretary for investment, trade and industry. He also made controversial remarks during his stint at the ministry.
In this context, some would believe that he made the claim in the graphic.
The graphic bears the logo and branding of the media house Kenyans.co.ke. It has also been published here and here. (Note: See more instances at the end of this report.)
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But did Kenyans.co.ke really publish this? We checked.
Fake graphic
The media often reports on Kuria's comments. However, we found no credible news reports on this particular statement.
In addition, the graphic's font and design differ from those typically used in Kenyans.co.ke graphics. A search of the publication's official Facebook and X accounts also yielded no evidence of the graphic.
We contacted Brian Muuo, head of social media at Kenyans.co.ke. He said this graphic was fake.
The graphic also appears here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
