Kenya: No Evidence Kenyan President Said He'll Never Trust Luo Community for 'Supporting' His Political Opponent - Viral Quote Fabricated

What the report says

Africa Check, in a report distributed by AllAfrica from Johannesburg, said a graphic circulating on social media falsely attributed a divisive remark to Kenyan President William Ruto about the Luo community. The alleged quote claimed he would never trust Luos for backing a political opponent, but the fact-checker found no credible evidence that Ruto ever said this.

The report said the claim appeared online in the context of Kenyan politics, where ethnic identity can shape voting patterns. It noted references in the graphic to Edwin Sifuna, a Nairobi senator and opposition figure who has said he will run in the 2027 presidential election, as well as to the wider political competition around Ruto’s expected bid for a second term. The story also placed the false claim against recent political developments involving Raila Odinga, whose death and the anniversary events in western Kenya drew attention from Luo communities and national politicians.

Africa Check said it found no reports in reputable media outlets or other reliable evidence supporting the alleged statement. The organization concluded the post was fabricated and warned that the president is unlikely to use such openly inflammatory language, especially with the next election cycle approaching. The report matters because misleading ethnic claims can inflame tensions and distort political debate in Kenya.