The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has labelled as fake widely circulated images purporting to show flooding at the Greenpark Pedestrian Underpass in Nairobi.
The images, which were widely shared across social media platforms on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, appeared to show the newly constructed underpass partially submerged in rainwater.
The photos immediately sparked public concern, with many Kenyans questioning the quality of construction and drainage systems at the facility, which is located at the busy Haile Selassie-Uhuru Highway roundabout.
However, KeNHA on Thursday, February 26, clarified that the viral image showing flooding was artificially generated using Artificial Intelligence and did not reflect the actual condition of the underpass.
“It has come to the attention of the Authority that several stakeholders have been misled by the AI-Generated photograph of a flooded Green Park Pedestrian Underpass,” KeNHA stated.
KeNHA further assured the public that the underpass is fitted with a robust drainage system designed to direct any infiltrating water to a collection chamber, where it is efficiently pumped out to prevent flooding.
Additionally, the Authority noted that all entry points to the Underpass are raised in a way that no external flowing water can enter the structure to the extent of causing flooding.
“This image is AI-generated, which is designed to mislead and create unnecessary anxiety, and does not reflect the real state of the underpass,” KeNHA revealed.
While dismissing the viral fake clips, KeNHA called on the public to verify any information shared on social media platforms through the Authority’s official communication channels before circulating.
“The Authority is dedicated to providing accurate updates and ensuring the safety and functionality of all its road infrastructure,” KeNHA said. roads in the city being completely flooded, resulting in traffic snarl-ups and damage to vehicles and road infrastructure.
