The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes disinformation as the spread of false information deliberately and often covertly (as by the planting of rumours). This is often done to influence public opinion or hide the truth. In Kenya, these intentional actions to distort the information environment for a political end, are primarily led by domestic actors.
A March 2023 report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, shows Kenya country has experienced a dramatic increase in political misinformation created within its borders. 5 out of 9 disinformation campaigns in Kenya originate from domestic perpetrators with political motives. This exposes a troubling contradiction: democratic societies’ openness to information can be exploited, especially when rapid technological advancements are not met with appropriate policies.
Domestic actors have also increasingly integrated disinformation into their political playbooks, notably during Kenya’s 2022. For instance, it appears political actors in Kenya have mastered the art of bringing disrepute upon credible media personalities and organizations. This is often a precursor for disinformation campaigns. The Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023 put Kenya top of the list in political criticism of the media. 60% of Kenyans surveyed said they have heard politicians criticising journalists or the news. Recently, there has been sustained diatribe on CNN journalist Larry Madowo due to his reporting. This was led by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen but has since been picked up by other actors.
These disinformation campaigns rely on a toolbox of deception. They use influencers who are paid to spread lies, create fake online personas to manipulate conversations and circulate videos and photos that are either entirely fabricated or taken out of context to mislead people.
Terrorist Disinformation Campaigns in East Africa
In wider East Africa, disinformation campaigns are a big problem. It’s the second-worst region in Africa for documented phoney news, with most campaigns (over 60%) created within the countries themselves. Sudan is the hotspot, having the most campaigns overall (14).
Data indicates that Kenya has one of the highest social media consumption rates globally. As of January 2024, the country had 13.05 million social media users, equating to 23.5% of the total population. Ironically, the same country has expressed significant concerns about encountering false or misleading information online.
Alarmingly, extremist groups like Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) have been early adopters of using technology for disinformation activities in East Africa. They create fake media outlets on Facebook, spreading extremist ideology in local languages to influence public opinion. For instance, ISS pages urged Kenyans to boycott elections and ostracise Muslims who participated.
