AI videos falsely show Kenyan President resigning following deadly protests
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Fabricated AI videos of President Ruto resigning have gone viral amid deadly protests in Kenya.
AI Deepfakes Falsely Claim Kenyan President Ruto Has Resigned
Fabricated videos gain traction amid deadly protests and rising public anger
Nairobi, Kenya – Deepfake videos falsely claiming that President William Ruto has resigned are circulating widely on social media in the wake of deadly anti-government protests in Kenya.
One widely shared AI-generated video shows a fabricated version of the president saying:
“I am tired, and I have accepted that I have failed to rule this country. 2027 is too far. I have accepted it is one term.”
The video, made using manipulated footage from a real June 18 meeting with Kisumu delegates at Ruto’s residence in Nairobi, has amassed more than 1.4 million views on TikTok, according to independent fact-checking group Africa Check.
Another video, which has since been deleted, falsely depicted the president saying:
“Kenyans, you have said that Ruto must go. I agree, I am a failure and I must go… I just wanted to get rich.”
Public Unrest Fuels Disinformation
The fake videos surfaced after weeks of unrest, including Monday’s deadly protests that left at least 10 people dead, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The protests commemorated Saba Saba, a historic pro-democracy movement.
On June 25, a separate wave of violence during protests against a controversial tax bill left 16 people dead and hundreds injured. Critics have slammed Ruto’s administration for using excessive force and banning media coverage of protests.
The President’s approval has plummeted since his 2024 tax proposals, which were seen as contradicting his campaign pledges to ease the burden on ordinary Kenyans.
“Most Hated Man in Kenya”?
Speaking to the Associated Press, political analyst Karuti Kanyinga described President Ruto as “probably the most hated man in Kenya,” noting that while he may retain control over institutions, “he doesn’t have control of the people.”
Not the First AI Targeting Ruto
This is not the first time Ruto has been targeted with AI-manipulated videos. In April, AFP Fact Check debunked a video that falsely claimed to show him staging a media stunt with a hospital patient.
Experts warn that deepfakes are becoming an increasingly powerful tool in political disinformation campaigns, especially during times of heightened public anger and unrest.
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