Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua has issued a public warning over a viral image circulating online that allegedly shows him kneeling beside President William Ruto.
In a statement shared on X on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Mutua clarified that the image is AI-generated and digitally manipulated, stressing that it does not depict any real event.
He described the image as misleading, saying it was deliberately created to spread misinformation and cause public misunderstanding.
“I wish to alert the public that a manipulated, AI-generated image is currently circulating online, falsely portraying me in a compromising and misleading situation,” Mutua said. “The image is not real and has been digitally altered to spread misinformation.”
The Cabinet Secretary urged Kenyans to verify information from credible sources before sharing content online, warning that unverified material can easily mislead the public and fuel unnecessary confusion.
Mutua further noted that while social media remains a powerful communication tool, it can also be abused to distort facts and damage the reputations of public figures. He called on users to act responsibly and think critically before reposting sensational content.
“I urge all Kenyans to verify information from credible sources and to avoid sharing unverified or sensational content. Let us work together to stop the spread of digital misinformation,” he added.
Growing concern over AI-generated content
Mutua’s warning comes amid rising concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence to create fake images targeting Kenyan leaders. Several manipulated images have recently gone viral, sparking public debate and alarm.
One of the most disturbing incidents involved an AI-generated image depicting President William Ruto in a coffin, which spread widely across social media platforms.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has since warned that such content is not only misleading but also poses a serious threat to public safety and societal values.
Murkomen stated that AI-generated images used to mock, threaten, or intimidate individuals are increasingly being weaponised to promote harmful behaviour, particularly among the youth. He cautioned that the government would take firm action against individuals who use social media to spread malicious AI content or engage in activities that endanger others.
