12 envoys have warned Kenyan media against spreading fake news ahead of the repeat Presidential election.Led by US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, the western envoys noted that spreading alarmist and unconfirmed reports may raise political tensions and have the potential to trigger deadly election violence.
Through a statement issued on Thursday, they acknowledged that the fake news menace is a global reality but said its impact in Kenya is becoming increasingly prominent and negative.
Everyone has the responsibility to reject lies and fabrications and to fact check.
"We should all seek authoritative clarification before spreading fake news further" read part of their statement.
They added that media should play the watchdog role and strive to inform the public without inciting hate.
Political tension in the country is high after the annulment of President Uhuru Kenyatta's election by the Supreme Court.
The court through its declaration stated that the polls were flawed and the outcome was not credible.
Messages of hate have also been spread online, the latest culprit being Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria who may face investigations after his derogatory statements about opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is currently investigating 250 people for posting hate messages on their social media platforms.
NCIC vice chairperson Irene Wanyoike a week ago said stern action would be taken against those found to have misused their Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp accounts to stir up ethnic animosity.
