As the Kenyan electioneering period nears the tail end, Kenyan media organizations must be lauded for being vigilant in debunking false information and fake news that dominated the long and gruesome electioneering process.
Compared to past elections, the 2022 polls were largely based on misinformation and information distortion from both political camps.
During the campaign period, leading political camps became synonymous with manipulation of photos taken during campaign meetings. The digital manipulation of photos was aimed at portraying a scenario of huge followings and support for both camps.
Distortion of statements made by leading politicians was common during the period
In July the Media council of Kenya launched a digital fact-checking tool that has helped media houses and journalists debunk false narratives that were being spread on social media platforms.
The media was quick in setting the record straight by fact-checking and giving Kenyans verified information
The spread of fake news even targeted websites run by media organizations where pseudo accounts with official logos of leading media houses would be used to spread fake news but with the level of alertness exhibited by media houses, such was flagged down in a flash
The spread of fake news reached fever pitch during the vote tallying process across the country
Barely hours after the tallying got underway, opposing political camps started publishing false results on social media
Names of winning and losing candidates for various seats were all over social media but as official results from IEBC started streaming in, some of the claims turned out to be false.
Things got worse during the tallying of the presidential votes with each side releasing results that pleased their supporters.
Both sides claimed an early victory days before IEBC announced the winner.
Also Read:Vetting Opinion Polls, False Information and ‘Fake News’
And as the confusion on the presidential results reigned , a statement purportedly from Royal Media Services and the Standard Group was circulating on social media platforms
The statement allegedly signed by SK Macharia of RSM and Gideon Moi of Standard Group claimed that the two media organizations had carried out a joint parallel tallying of presidential votes
The statement went ahead to give final presidential tally figures that were in favour of Azimio candidate Raila Odinga against Kenya Kwanza candidate William Ruto
The statement was spread on social media moments before IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati announced the final results
Royal Media Services and The Standard Group however flagged the statement as fake
And even after the announcement of election results, the dispute surrounding the final results and the fallout within IEBC is still providing a fertile ground for fake news
Fake social media accounts have been created in the names of IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati and his vice Juliana Cherera.
People posing as the two on social media have been posting claims and counter claims allegedly emanating from Chebukati and Cherera
This has forced Cherera to issue a public statement clarifying that she is has no presence on any social media platform
