The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has cautioned Kenyans against falling for false online claims alleging that activist Boniface Mwangi has been abducted and transported to Tanzania.
In a firm statement released on Tuesday, June 4, LSK President Faith Odhiambo warned of a growing disinformation campaign fueled by deepfake images and fake media quotes, some of which falsely cite reputable Kenyan news outlets.
“Our attention has been drawn to a series of false statements and deepfakes allegedly concerning the abduction of Boniface Mwangi,” Odhiambo stated.
“We urge members of the public to disregard this fake online campaign and reject all attempts at misdirection and misinformation.”
Amnesty International Flags Fake News Posts
The LSK’s warning was echoed by Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton, who flagged another false media quote being circulated online. The fake quote claimed Mwangi had been rearrested.
“Disinformation Alert. KOX (Kenyans on X), be advised that the haters have been busy overnight,” Houghton posted, warning of attempts to derail the ongoing push for justice.
According to Houghton, the spread of these falsehoods appears to be a coordinated attempt to discredit the human rights campaigns linked to Rose Njeri, Boniface Mwangi, and Ugandan activist Agatha Atuhaire, who were allegedly tortured in Tanzanian custody.
The Real Story Behind the Activist Campaign
In May, Mwangi and Atuhaire were part of a delegation that traveled to Tanzania in support of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. While six Kenyan activists, including Willy Mutunga and Martha Karua, were detained and deported upon arrival, Mwangi and Atuhaire initially evaded arrest—but were later reported missing.
They resurfaced three days later near the Tanzania-Kenya border after allegedly enduring torture and sexual assault in Tanzanian custody. At a June 2 press conference in Nairobi, both shared harrowing accounts of their treatment while detained.
Fake News Meant to Distract from Justice Push
As momentum builds for accountability over the activists’ ordeal, a parallel narrative has emerged online—one questioning their story and now spreading fabricated claims of a new abduction.
Human rights defenders argue that these fake reports are a strategic attempt to shift public focus away from the ongoing demands for justice and international accountability.
“This is not just an attack on individuals, it’s an attack on truth,” one activist remarked during a separate online panel on disinformation.
The LSK and Amnesty have urged Kenyans to critically assess information, verify sources, and report suspicious content in efforts to combat the growing threat of digitally manipulated misinformation in civic spaces.
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Category: News
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