As Kenya was still tallying votes following presidential polls on August 9, 2022, a statement attributed to the US embassy congratulating Raila Odinga for winning the race circulated in multiple posts online. However, the US embassy in Nairobi denied issuing the message, which surfaced days before the final results of the national election were to be announced. Odinga’s rival William Ruto emerged victor late on August 15, 2022.

A Facebook post published on August 14, 2022, shared an image of what appears to be a screenshot of a statement purportedly issued on social media by the US embassy about the Kenyan elections.

“The United States of America congratulates the people of Kenya for holding peaceful elections,” it reads. “President Joe Biden also congratulates Hon Raila Odinga for his election as Kenya's fifth president (sic).”

Backed by the ruling party, veteran politician Odinga was one of four contenders bidding to become Kenya’s fifth president.

His main rival Ruto Ruto is a shadowy rags-to-riches businessman

The purported screenshot appeared in multiple posts here, here and here.

However, the statement was fabricated.

US embassy denial

The US embassy in Kenya took to Twitter and Facebook on August 14, 2022, to warn that the document circulating on social media was fake.

The caption embassy reads: “#StopReflectVerify” - a favoured hashtag of verification specialists to encourage social media users to double-check content before sharing.

"The referenced 'statement'...

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