Kenya: Ignore Altered Image Depicting Prominent Kenyan Trade Union Leader Francis Atwoli 'Gifting' His Nephew a Car

20 January 2026
Africa Check (Johannesburg)
By Dancan Bwire

Ignore altered image depicting prominent Kenyan trade union leader Francis Atwoli 'gifting' his nephew a car

IN SHORT: An image circulating on social media in Kenya appears to show Francis Atwoli, the secretary general of Kenya's Central Organization of Trade Unions, allegedly gifting his nephew a car. However, the image has been altered.

An image seemingly showing Francis Atwoli, the secretary general of Kenya's Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu), "gifting" his nephew a car is circulating on social media.

Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn

In the image, Atwoli appears to be shaking hands with a young man while handing over car keys.

"Francis Atwoli gifts his nephew a brand new Toyota prado after performing exemplary well in his KCSE exam," the caption reads.

Cotu is the umbrella organisation for trade unions in Kenya. Atwoli has been its secretary general since 2001.

The KCSE, or Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, exams are taken at the end of secondary school. The results determine access to tertiary education. The latest results were released on 9 January 2026.

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is a popular choice among affluent Kenyans, particularly politicians, civil servants and union leaders such as those in Cotu. However, their lives are closely scrutinised, and they are often targeted online, especially when flaunting wealth on social media, while many citizens struggle with hunger.

The image has been posted widely, but is it authentic? We checked.

Fake image

There are signs that the image may not be authentic.

For instance, it appears glossy and blurred. The right-hand fingers of the people in the image seem incomplete, and the right eye of the person claimed to be Atwoli's nephew appears distorted. Atwoli also appears taller, and his hairline looks different when compared to how he looks in genuine photos.

These are typical characteristics of images generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. AI uses complex computer algorithms to perform tasks that would otherwise be done by humans, such as answering questions and writing code.

Atwoli uses his social media accounts, including his verified Facebook and X pages, to update his followers on his engagements and whereabouts. None of these pages has featured the image and no credible media outlet has published it.

On 9 January, Atwoli posted the image on his accounts with the word "FAKE" stamped across it.

All signs point to an AI-generated image that should be ignored.

For more tips on how to spot AI-generated images and videos, see Africa Check's guide 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. X @AfricaCheck and www.africacheck.org

Tagged:
Copyright © 2026 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 600 reports a day from more than 90 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.