Social Media Posts Falsely Claim Former Kenyan Cabinet Secretaries Appointed Ambassadors
Rumors are circulating on social media that three former Kenyan cabinet secretaries, Aisha Jumwa, Ababu Namwamba, and Moses Kuria, have been appointed as ambassadors. However, an investigation has revealed that there is no official record of these appointments, and both Kuria and Namwamba have denied the claims.
According to the false social media posts, Jumwa, the former cabinet secretary for public service, has been appointed as Kenya’s new ambassador to Switzerland. Namwamba, the former youth affairs minister, and Kuria, the former trade minister, are also allegedly appointed as envoys.
The three ministers were removed from their posts on July 11, 2024, when President William Ruto dissolved his cabinet following nationwide protests sparked by the 2024 Finance Bill. The bill proposed raising taxes, which faced significant opposition, particularly from young people who felt it would harm their economic interests.
A new “broad-based” cabinet was sworn in on August 8, but the three ministers in question were not retained. The false claim has been posted multiple times on social media, with no official confirmation from the government.
In Kenya, official ambassadorial appointments are published in the Kenya Gazette, the government’s official publication for legal notices and appointments. However, the Kenya National Council for Law Reporting’s website, which tracks legislation and gazette notices, does not list such notices.
Both Kuria and Namwamba have denied the allegations as false on their Facebook pages. Kuria stated, “It has come to my attention that false information regarding my appointment as the Ambassador to Ukraine is being circulated by various bloggers. I would like to clarify and assure everyone that the credible and accurate details about any new appointment will only be shared through my official Facebook page Hon.CS Moses Kuria and my verified X (formerly Twitter) account @HonMoses_Kuria.”
Namwamba simply wrote, “Upuuuus reloaded!!” which translates to “Nonsense reloaded!!”
The false claim has been circulating on social media, but it appears to be nothing more than a baseless rumor with no foundation in reality.
