IN SHORT: An image showing Kenyan politician and former health minister Susan Nakhumicha in a short dress while addressing a crowd is drawing criticism for the politician online. However, the image is fake.
An image doing the rounds on social media appears to show Susan Nakhumicha, a Kenyan politician and former cabinet secretary for health, addressing a public gathering while wearing a short dress.
Users who posted the image use it to undermine her reputation, accusing her of prostitution and questioning her leadership potential.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
"Susan nakhumicha endelea kutambea uchi ukifurahusha boy friend wako fake papa waroma. Tranzoia hatutaki Malaya George George Natembeya governor," one user captioned the image, in Kiswahili.
This translates as: "Susan Nakhumicha, continue walking naked while you entertain your fake boyfriend Papa wa Roma. In Trans Nzoia county we don't want a prostitute. George Natembeya for governor."
In November 2025, Nakhumicha announced plans to unseat Trans Nzoia county governor George Natembeya, who is expected to seek re-election in 2027. Nakhumicha has received the backing of Kenya's speaker of the national assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, who is nicknamed Papa wa Roma in the post.
Trans Nzoia county is in western Kenya, about 400 kilometres from Nairobi.
Nakhumicha came into the limelight in September 2022 when president William Ruto appointed her to lead the health ministry. She held that position until August 2024, when Ruto dissolved his cabinet following anti-government protests.
In March 2025, Ruto nominated Nakhumicha to serve as the permanent representative to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
The image has circulated widely on social media, but is it credible? We checked.
Manipulated image
We conducted a reverse image search and found a similar photo posted on 27 February 2026. It was taken from a different angle but includes details seen in the circulating image, such as a similarly patterned dress, drizzle, and the same umbrella and tent. These are indicators that the circulating image may have been derived from it.
Nakhumicha is active on social media and uses Facebook and X to communicate her political activities and work engagements. We reviewed her posts from the same day and found additional photos of her in a similar dress. But it is long, nearly to the ankle. No photo on these platforms shows her in public in a short dress or skirt.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
We did not find the circulating image posted on any other credible platform, suggesting it is a manipulated image intended to undermine her reputation. Africa Check has previously debunked a manipulated image appearing to show her in a miniskirt accompanied by similar derogatory remarks.
The circulating image is manipulated and should be disregarded.
