A screengrab claiming that exiled lawyer Miguna Miguna engaged in a heated online exchange with Digital Strategist, Dennis Itumbi, is altered and false.
On Tuesday, November 16, activist Miguna Miguna shared the photo which claimed that he addressed reports alleging that he castigated the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The alleged tweet read “Let me make this clear that some people in UDA think I support William Ruto (Deputy President). Just because I mention Uhuru Kenyatta (President) and Raila Odinga (former Prime Minister) doesn’t mean I associate myself with corrupt individuals who loot day and night.
“UDA is full of looters and I can’t associate myself with them period.”
The quoted post has been censored due to its sensitive language.
A reply claimed to have been posted by Itumbi alleged, “@Miguna Miguna. Who told you that we need a failure like you. In fact, we do not even need an inch of you in UDA. Ask yourself why you are suffering. Your arrogance will not help you achieve anything.”
Miguna spoke against the altered screengrab and flagged off the post.
He, however, also made unverifiable claims that the fake post was made by pro-government politicians and security officials opposed to his activism.
“Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga: Tell the NIS (National Intelligence Service) and your bloggers to stop creating FAKE accounts and publishing FICTION in my name. You are desperate. This is fake!” He responded on Facebook. His quoted response has once again been censored.
Itumbi also responded and dissociated himself from the screengrab. Nonetheless, he also pointed fingers at unidentifiable politicians and bloggers.
“Yaani watu wa KIELEWEKE Fake News Inc.This screenshot was taken at 20:20, but according to the guys who created the lie, the Tweet was made at 20:27, 7 minutes after the Screenshot was captured & TWO Minutes after I tweeted it! Even Photoshop needs a little THINKING,” Itumbi debunked the altered image.
Add screengrab of Itumbi response
Lawyer Miguna was barred from returning to Kenya on Monday, November 15, via Germany. The Canada-based attorney revealed that Air France declined to let him board the carrier on account of orders made by the Kenyan government through red alerts.
"This is to inform Kenyans and the world that Air France officials at the check-in counter at the Berlin Brandenburg Airport have just informed me that the Government of Kenya sent them a "Red Alert" this morning that they cannot fly me to Nairobi," a statement shared on his Twitter, on the same day read.
His lawyer, outgoing Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Nelson Havi, disclosed that they went back to court to seek orders and clarification on the status of Miguna's return.
“Air France told the court that red alerts, if any, against Miguna Miguna were issued by the Government of Kenya to who an order should be addressed. The Government stated that none existed. The Court relied on their representations. Who is fooling us: Air France or the Government?” he tweeted on November 15, 2021.
The screengrab alleging that Miguna was embroiled in an online feud with Itumbi is thus false, doctored and misleading.
This fact-check was produced by Kenyans.co.ke's John Mbati in partnership with Code for Africa with support from Deutsche Welle Akademie.
