A viral photo of a protestor wearing an improvised bulletproof vest went viral on Monday, March 20.
In the photo, the protestor, who was wearing a yellow T-shirt underneath, was pictured with a vest made of car tyres aimed at protecting himself from harm.
The photo started trending after Kenyans began sharing it while claiming the protestor was an avid Azimio la Umoja supporter.
Kenyans.co.ke did a fact check to determine if the vest was being worn by a Kenyan demonstrator.
Using Google reverse imaging, it was determined that the picture was not taken on Monday, March 20, as widely claimed.
The image was first posted on the internet almost a year ago on July 28, 2022.
Further, it was determined that the picture was originally taken in South Africa and not in Nairobi as widely reported on social media.
The owner of the image is a South African citizen by the name of Siyabonga Scara Fana.
The misinformation about the picture came at a time when Azimio supporters engaged police officers in running battles across the city protesting the high cost of living.
Protestors led by Azimio leaders are pressuring President William Ruto to bring down the prices of basic commodities pushing many Kenyans below the poverty line.
Police officers dispersed a group of protestors that had stormed inside Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
In a separate event, National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi and Senator Stewart Madzayo were arrested for taking part in the demonstrations.
Just like in Kenya, anti-government protests led by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rocked South Africa on Monday, March 20.
EFF is demanding South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa's resignation over his handling of the nation's sickly economy, electricity shortages and stratospheric unemployment.
