Debunking Fake Quote Attributed to Governor Wavinya Ndeti on Kikuyu Trustworthiness

A fabricated graphic falsely quoting Governor Wavinya Ndeti as dismissing the Kikuyu community’s trustworthiness has circulated online. The graphic has been debunked as fake by The Star and fact-checking organizations. This misinformation emerges amid significant political shifts leading up to the 2027 Kenyan elections, highlighting the critical role of ethnic dynamics in political discourse.

As Kenya’s political landscape shifts in anticipation of the 2027 general elections, a fabricated graphic has circulated online, purporting to quote Governor Wavinya Ndeti. The image alleges that Ndeti dismissed the Kikuyu community as untrustworthy and suggested a political alliance with President William Ruto instead. This misinformation, which features an image of Ndeti alongside the logo of the Kenyan news outlet, The Star, has been thoroughly debunked.

Wavinya Ndeti, the governor of Machakos County, was elected in August 2022 and represents the Wiper Party. The false graphic hints that the Kikuyu community, primarily residing in Kenya’s central region, would betray opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka, further misleading the public during a politically tense moment.

The timing of the graphic is particularly notable, occurring just days after a significant political gathering led by Martha Karua. At this event, opposition parties expressed intentions to unite against President Ruto, as politicians such as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pledged allegiance to Musyoka. Given the ethnically polarized nature of Kenyan politics, maintaining trust among ethnic groups remains crucial.

Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024 for allegedly dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines, is a prominent political figure from the Kikuyu community. In recent years, political loyalty has often been tested, with historical precedents such as former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s unexpected endorsement of Raila Odinga in 2022 after initially supporting Ruto.

The authenticity of the graphic was called into question as fact-checkers revealed discrepancies when comparing it to official graphics disseminated by The Star. The real graphics include speech balloons, dates, and quotation marks, characteristics that the fraudulent version lacks. On February 27, 2025, The Star explicitly labeled the circulating graphic as fake, advising the public to disregard it. Fact-checking organizations, such as Africa Check, work closely with social media platforms to mitigate the spread of falsehoods.

In conclusion, the circulating graphic attributing a false quote to Governor Wavinya Ndeti has been thoroughly discredited. This misinformation proliferates amidst significant political realignments in Kenya, emphasizing the need for vigilance against fabricated claims. The event serves as a reminder of the impact of ethnic considerations in Kenyan politics and the importance of relying on verified sources for accurate information.

Original Source: africacheck.org