A digital card shared on social media purporting to quote former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita is fake.
On 10th February, 2022, the digital card bearing the KBC branding was distributed a day after Waita’s resignation to run for Machakos governor. Mr Waita is among several government officials who resigned to focus on politics. He had earlier declared interest to succeed Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua.
According to the digital card, Waita says he will not yield to bláckmail of unnamed Ukambani leaders in his quest for a party to run on.
The digital card Titled ‘KALONZO CAN’T MAKE ANYONE GOVERNOR’ says: “I won’t buy the bláckmail by some Ukambani leaders who are suggesting I must work closely with Wiper party leader if I want to be Machakos Governor. My conscience is very clear. Kalonzo (Musyoka) can’t make anyone governor and that is why I am working with Rt Hon. Raila Odinga.”
It adds: “I will be Machakos Governor on an ODM ticket under Azimio. I can’t associate myself with village parties. That will be suicidal.”
While he has declared support for Raila Odinga, who is leading the Azimio La Umoja alliance, Mr Waita has not come out publicly to dismiss Kalonzo Musyoka or even talk of bláckmail by Ukambani leaders.
A fact-check on the content reveals that the digital card is a product of fake news. First, KBC Channel 1 promptly flagged the digital card as fake on 10th January. A Google search doesn’t reveal anything related to the content of the digital card.
A review of Nzioka Waita’s Twitter page shows he did not share any such communication. Reached for comment, Mr Waita dismissed the digital card as fake news.
[This story was produced by Business Today in partnership with Code for Africa’s iLAB data journalism programme, with support from Deutsche Welle Akademie ]
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