This Facebook account purporting to belong to the National Police Service Spokesperson and Director of Corporate Communications, Dr Resila Onyango, is fake.
The Facebook account under the name Resila Atieno Onyango has shared information regarding the National Police Service. With just over 400 friends, the account became active on 12th November with the Got Married Post and the profile picture of the NPS spokesperson.
On 15th November, the account user shared information relating to security in the country ahead of Christmas. The post says: “Acting Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow has directed police officers to enhance crime surveillance and prevention measures as the country approaches the festive season.”
Investigations into the account reveal that it is actually fake, and does not belong to NPS spokesperson, Dr Resila Atieno Onyango. The National Police Service has issued a disclaimer on the account and warned the public about similar fake accounts.
“We wish to caution the public against interacting with the multiple accounts purporting to belong to the National Police Service Spokesperson and Director Corporate Communications at the NPS, Dr Resila Onyango, PhD,” said the NPS through its verified Twitter account, and flagged three accounts registered in her name.
According to the NPS, Dr Resila Onyango does have a social media account and only transacts her official police duties through the NPS’s official communications platforms.
“These existing fake accounts are maintained by unscrupulous imposters with crimínal intent,” the NPS says on Twitter. “We urge the public to desist interacting with the imposters, as we liaise with other agencies for appropriate action on the pages and their handlers.”
The fake account, which has accumulated just over 400 friends, emerged after Dr Onyango took over the position of police spokesman from Bruno Shioso on 8th November, 2022. While the information on enhanced surveillance shared is true, the account is, however, fake.
This fact-check was produced by BUSINESS TODAY with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck, African Fact Checking Alliance network and the United Nations Development Programme.
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