A female Kenyan lawyer has come out to denounce a viral social media post bearing her image - and which appeared to suggest that she was in a relationship with the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli
The woman, who identified herself as Angela Gitahi, on Thursday, March 18, noted that her image had been used with malicious intent.
The post alleged that she had a child with the late president, and was looking for assistance to access Tanzania's embassy.
Gitahi, who is a KANU National Executive Committee Member, dismissed the claims as baseless.
"Today, I have been made aware of a social media post circulating with my image and captioned in what I would call an 'outrageous' misrepresentation of my person.
"It is truly unfortunate, unnecessary and outrageous slander by a careless propaganda outlet. I find it necessary, therefore, for both my sake and those that look up to me, to share my side of the story," she stated.
She noted that she was unbowed by the inaccurate reports.
"When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is, 'When they go low, we go high," she stated.
Gitahi took the time to praise Magufuli, stating that his legacy would be good for the Tanzanian people, adding that East Africa and the whole continent had lost a great son.
Magufuli's death was announced by Tanzanian Vice President Samia Hassan Suluhu on Wednesday, March 17, after weeks of speculation about his whereabouts.
He was 61 years old at the time of his passing, and he left behind one wife (Janet Magufuli) and five children.
President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a seven-day mourning period in Kenya for the fallen leader.
He further ordered that Kenya's flag and that of the East African community would be flown at half-mast in all public buildings and spaces throughout the country from Thursday, March 18, until the day of the funeral.
