Raila Odinga Junior has once again been put on the spotlight over the 2022 succession race.
Junior, however, distanced himself from reports alleging that he endorsed Deputy President William Ruto as his candidate of choice.
Ruto is widely expected to challenge Odinga for the top seat in the 2022 General Elections.
On Saturday morning, September 26, Junior flagged as fake an account that alleged that he backed Ruto.
"I analyzed, I consulted and weighed my options. My Conclusion: I am a hustler. William Ruto is my preferred Presidential Candidate," the fake Twitter account stated, garnering likes, retweets and comments.
The reaction to the fake message was mixed, with some praising Junior for supporting the hustler movement and others criticising him.
"This account is not mine. I will report it for impersonation," he responded.
11 days earlier, on September 15, Junior questioned the conduct of a number of ODM leaders whom he accused of engaging in divisive politics. This was after Mombasa Governor Joho accused Deputy President William Ruto of participating in early campaigns and flaunting his wealth.
He urged ODM to analyse itself, desist from abusing rival politicians and focus on enhancing its development agenda. His sentiments triggered a harsh response from party Chairman John Mbadi who stated that Junior was merely Odinga’s son and not an ODM member.
Even though Odinga’s son apologised a day later and clarified that his sentiments were a personal opinion and not a party position, ODM issued a statement reiterating that changes within the party were inevitable.
Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna announced ODM’s plans to reassess its policies and acknowledged that the party needed to reanalyse its strategy.
On Friday, September 4, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i detailed plans to crack down on cyberbullies and digital lawbreakers targeting politicians and celebrities.
The CS stated that the decision was arrived add owing to the increase of fake news on social media platforms.
"We want to ensure that no one’s space is invaded by digital vigilantes. We will crack down on those (keyboard warriors) who are politically instigating to promote violence and attack others via social media as we approach 2022 election period, "Matiang'i disclosed while speaking during a media event at Serena Hotel on Friday, September 4.
The Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act of 2018 stipulates fines ranging from Ksh 200,000 to Ksh 20 million and a prison sentence of two years or both for those found guilty of breaking digital laws.
