Scroll through any social media feed during a national crisis, and you’ll likely stumble upon dramatic posts, unverified claims, or sensational headlines. Sometimes it’s a video of a politician “caught stealing,” or a warning that Nairobi CBD is under lockdown due to “foreign threats.”
In Kenya, misinformation and disinformation are rarely accidental. While some people share content out of ignorance or panic, many of the most dangerous narratives are pushed by organized groups with specific goals. It’s always Political influencers-for-hire,” anonymous pages, and even fake news sites that play a major role in shaping public opinion especially during moments of unrest.
Take the recent protests against the Finance Bill, for instance. As genuine protest footage circulated, so did misleading posts blaming NGOs, foreign governments, and opposition leaders for “sponsoring chaos.” Some of these messages came from anonymous accounts with large followings, many of which had no history until a few months ago. These aren’t just random users they’re part of a digital misinformation machine designed to manipulate how people think, vote, or react.
What makes it even more complex is the trust people place in influencers. When a familiar face shares a post no matter how false we’re more likely to believe it. This trust is being abused by individuals paid to push narratives on behalf of political or corporate interests. In some cases, influencers are paid to trend hashtags that bury the truth or distract from real issues. And because the internet moves fast, by the time a lie is fact-checked, it’s already reached thousands.
Worse still, many people don’t question where the content is coming from. We see a post and forward it. We watch a clip and share it. We rarely ask who is this account? Do they have a history of spreading falsehoods? What do they gain by posting this?
Fighting misinformation means slowing down and asking questions. This encourages a culture of curiosity where people feel empowered to challenge the source, not just the message.
The next time a post goes viral, pause. Look beyond the headline. Research the source. Because in today’s digital world, the person behind the post might not be who they say they are and the truth might not be what it seems.