Kenya: Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Has Not Alleged That He's Been Poisoned - Viral Graphic Fabricated

What the report says

A fact-check published by Africa Check and distributed by AllAfrica says a widely shared graphic claiming former Kenyan deputy president Rigathi Gachagua alleged he had been poisoned is false. The image, circulating on social media, quotes him as saying he was recovering in the United States after a supposed poisoning attempt linked to President William Ruto’s government, but the report says no reliable evidence supports that claim.

According to the article, Gachagua left Kenya for the United States on 26 August 2026 and said at the time that he planned to spend time with Kenyans in the diaspora and rest. Africa Check noted that he has been active on social media during his trip and has not publicly said he is unwell. It also said that if such a statement had been genuine, local media and political leaders likely would have responded to it.

The report traces the graphic to a Facebook page called Kenya News Flash, which Africa Check describes as a source of fabricated quotes. The check comes against the backdrop of Gachagua’s tense political relationship with Ruto. He served as deputy president from September 2022 until his impeachment in October 2024 and has previously accused unnamed actors of trying to poison him before that process. Africa Check concluded the circulating claim is fabricated.