IN SHORT: Since his impeachment, former Kenyan deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has been appearing on fabricated newspaper front pages. This is yet another one, claiming that Kenyans living in the US snubbed Gachagua when he visited the North American country.
Kenyans living in the United States snubbed former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua during his visit to the North American country. That’s according to an image of what seems to be the 12 July 2025 front page of Kenya’s Standard newspaper.
“Diaspora Snubs Gachagua,” the headline reads.
The summary below the headline claims that Gachagua’s much-publicised tour ended in humiliation after Kenyans living in the US “firmly rejected his divisive agenda and hollow rhetoric”.
“In city after city, they told him bluntly to first return home and apologize to hardworking Kenyans who lost their businesses and livelihoods during violent protests he sponsored. The diaspora made it clear they have no time for leaders who thrive on chaos and division,” it reads.
They allegedly made it clear that they supported Kenyan president William Ruto’s government, “which is focused on unity, economic growth, and restoring dignity to all Kenyans at home and abroad”.
Gachagua left Kenya for the US on 9 July. He has posted photos of his meeting with Kenyans living there.
He was Kenya’s deputy president from 2022 until his impeachment in October 2024, following a fallout with Ruto. His critics accused him of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions and undermining the government.
Since his impeachment, he has strongly criticised Ruto’s administration and has mobilised opposition leaders with the aim of unseating Ruto in the 2027 general elections.
Gachagua supported countrywide anti-government demonstrations led by young people, also referred to as generation Z or Gen Z, in June and July 2025. The protests called for better governance by Ruto’s administration and often turned deadly.
The front page has been posted here and here. (Note: See more instances listed at the end of this report.)
But is it authentic? We checked.
Altered front page
The front page does not provide any evidence of quotes or interviews with Kenyans in the US, where they might have indicated that they rejected Gachagua’s presence, nor does it offer proof that he sponsored violence during the protests. However, it goes on to endorse Ruto’s administration.
This contradicts key journalistic ethics and professional guidelines, which emphasise accuracy and impartial reporting, a clear indication that the front page cannot be trusted.
The Standard newspaper usually posts digital versions of its front pages on its verified social media accounts, including Facebook and X, as well as on its e-paper platform. We searched the accounts and the platform and found the original front page from 12 July.
It reads: “Companies graveyard.” Its summary claims that more than 10 multinational companies allegedly left the country due to a toxic business environment, punishing taxes, electricity costs, unpredictable policies and political volatility.
On 12 July, the Standard posted a blurred version of the suspicious front page on Facebook, with the word “FAKE” printed across it.
The front page about Kenyans in the US snubbing Gachagua is fake and should be ignored.
- The fake front page also appears here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
