No! Rachael Ruto did not donate Omo to Turkana hunger victims - DP's spokesman speaks

Deputy President William Ruto’s spouse, Rachael Ruto, on Wednesday became a victim of fake news after photos surfaced showing her delivering foodstuffs to drought victims in Turkana.

In the photos, Rachael was seen posing alongside several trucks of foodstuffs and purported to have been in Turkana where thousands of residents are reported to be at the risk of death after prolonged hunger caused by a drought affecting more than ten counties.

However, the Deputy President's spokesman David Mugonyi explained that the photos were not taken on Wednesday but were file images from a past charity exercise, five years ago.

Mugonyi also added that Mrs Ruto had not visited Turkana on Wednesday for food donations.

Unsuspecting Kenyans were left wondering if and why the Deputy President’s wife sought to donate cleaning detergent to people who were struggling to place a meal on their table.

Other Kenyans, however, appreciated the second lady’s gesture but challenged the government to do more so that private citizens do not have use their money to offer food that was supposed to be provided through taxes.

The second lady joins a list of high-profile people and organisations that have been caught up in fake news - a propaganda campaign that deliberately spreads disinformation or hoaxes and has particularly grown in the era of social media.