Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua has dismissed claims that he knelt before President William Ruto, terming a widely circulated image showing the alleged act as fake and digitally manipulated.
In a Facebook statement issued after the photo went viral on social media, Mutua clarified that the image was not authentic and had been generated using artificial intelligence to mislead the public and damage his reputation.
He warned that the doctored image was part of a growing trend of digital misinformation aimed at creating false narratives around public figures.
“I wish to alert the public that a manipulated, AI-generated image is currently circulating online, falsely portraying me in a compromising and misleading situation,” Mutua said. “The image is not real and has been digitally altered to spread misinformation and create misunderstanding.”
The viral photo had sparked widespread debate online, with some users claiming it showed Mutua kneeling before President Ruto. However, the Cabinet Secretary firmly refuted the claims, insisting that he has never engaged in such an act and that the image was entirely fabricated.
Mutua urged Kenyans to exercise caution when consuming and sharing content on social media, emphasizing the need to verify information from credible and reliable sources.
He also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified or sensational material that could fuel misinformation.
“I urge all Kenyans to verify information from credible sources and to avoid sharing unverified or sensational content,” he stated. “Let us work together to stop the spread of digital misinformation.”
The incident has reignited concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence in creating fake images and videos, particularly those involving political leaders, raising fresh questions about digital ethics and accountability in the online space.
