Kenya Kwanza leaders on Tuesday, April 25, called for immediate action to be taken on fake news merchants after photos were edited to allege that cult leader Paul Mackenzie met government officials.
Led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah, the pro-government leaders beseeched the National Assembly speaker, Moses Wetangula, to act and tame misinformation.
The Kikuyu Member of Parliament argued that the pictures were being circulated with a sinister motive.
“I have seen a few idle minds walking around with photoshopped photos of Mackenzie.
“The photos are showing Mackenzie with certain leaders and MPs claiming that they are friends,” Ichungw’ah complained.
He warned that this was not the right kind of discussion the country should have.
“This is very cheap and we should avoid taking that direction Madam Speaker,” the MP warned while begging the House to take measures.
“It comes at a time when we are grappling with a massacre of close to 100 Kenyans. Worst of all is that people who suffered most are children,” he added.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi blamed security officials in the country for relapsing and failing to respond swiftly.
“The security agencies are obsessed with what I am doing. We expect as a House that those responsible should be held to account.
“Before the Police Inspector General and Cabinet Secretary for Interior rush to Shakahola, they must first take responsibility,” the Ugunja MP remarked.
On Tuesday, April 25, Kenyans.co.ke independently verified two pictures that claimed Mackenzie attended an event at State House, Nairobi, along with First Lady Rachel Ruto.
Kenyans.co.ke ascertained that the photo was doctored to mislead the public. Rachel Ruto first published the original photo on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at 3.13 pm on her Twitter account.
In the original photo, the First Lady stood next to Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu. Another photo was doctored to show Pastor Mackenzie attending a special prayer meeting at State House on September 25, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke again debunked that the photo was manipulated, with Mackenzie placed to replace a guest wearing a chequered suit.
