)
The National Police Service (NPS) has advised Kenyans to ignore a "Stay Alert" poster purporting impending terror attacks in Kenya's major cities.
The poster alleged that parts of Nairobi and Mombasa had been placed on a watchlist, asking Kenyans to beware while visiting the alleged target areas.
The poster went on to suggest that security apparatus in the areas had been reinforced.
The now proven fraudsters had shrouded their poster under the Jubilee Insurance brand alleging that the company was scheduled to conduct special training on counterterrorism.
)
)
)
"NPS has taken note of a 'Stay Alert' 'intelligence' notice in circulation notifying the public of "an ongoing high threat of terrorist attacks". The said notice is allegedly associated to Jubilee Insurance and identifies some targeted areas around Nairobi and Mombasa.
"This information is inaccurate, unofficial and aimed at causing fear and unnecessary despondency. Security situation within the country remains calm with safety of the public guaranteed. The public is advised to ignore the advisory," NPS clarified.
)
Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai
How to Protect Yourself from Fake News
Social media has in the past week also been flooded with a fake Gazette Notice which purported that the Ministry of Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i had declared a public holiday.
According to the fake notice, November 4, 2021 had been declared a holiday to mark the Diwali celebrations nationwide.
In a statement via their official Twitter handle, the ministry said that the gazette notice doing rounds on social media is fake.
“The government has not declared a public holiday on Thursday November 4, 2021. The purported gazette notice declaring a holiday is fake,” read the statement from the Ministry of Interior.
)
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i
As Kenya approaches the 2022 General Election, more and more instances of fake news are expected even as politicians use propaganda to trounce their competitors.
Every Kenyan on social media will be safe to seek clarification from the involved parties or trusted news sources.
Good practice dictates that one should not repost or share content which is likely to cause panic or distraught without first confirming its authenticity.