Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has fallen victim to a misleading post about Deputy President William Ruto on his botched trip to Uganda.
Governor Ngilu on Wednesday, August 4, responded to the post hitting out at DP Ruto accusing him of setting a bad example for the future generation.
The fake post purported to quote Ruto claiming that his trip to Uganda was blocked because he was the child of a poor
"William Ruto this is an unfortunate and callous statement to come from you or even be attributed to you. You are seeking the highest office in the land, what example are you setting for future generations? Have you sunk this low? Is this what we should expect of you going forward?" Ngilu stated.
Netizens were quick to inform her that she had fallen to fake news although at the time of publishing, she had not pulled down the post.
"I have been stopped from flying to Uganda because the system believes only children of the rich and famous can fly to foreign countries to dine with presidents. But we have God and will overcome. I am putting the tribalists and dynasties on notice that our patience has run out and we will not take any more humiliation. Let them face me openly instead of hiding behind their lowly serfs in the civil service," the fake post read - with a photo of Ruto accompanying the quote.
A similar post with the same content was disowned by local media houses on Tuesday, August 3.
NTV on Wednesday, August 4 also termed the post as fake.
The trend of lawmakers and citizens falling for misleading and fake posts has always been on an upward scale especially when the country nears the electioneering period.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke Digital Strategist Adongo Kyalo, stated that citizens and political leaders need to verify by fact-checking with the media houses which will help to curb the spread of fake news.
"Going forward into the hyper-political period, a lot of misinformation and fake quotes are likely to crop up with sides using underhand tactics to tarnish competitors. It is prudent for citizens to be able to spot such through verifying the information being spread with the politicians' official communication and on official media sites. This will help stop the spread of fake news," he stated.
