Kakamega County Responds to Viral Video Linking Governor Barasa to 'Witch Doctor'

Kakamega County Government has responded to a viral video circulating on social media that allegedly links Governor Fernandes Barasa to an alleged witch doctor.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 29, the county government said the publication was malicious and defamatory, accusing former Kakamega Senator Cleo Malalah of circulating the video.

"This is a calculated attempt to manufacture a false narrative about the Governor's character, beliefs and conduct, with the clear intention of misleading the public and injuring his reputation," the statement read.

The county government said the use of digitally manipulated or AI-generated material to create a false impression about a public officer should not be regarded as legitimate political discourse.

"It is a serious matter that warrants appropriate scrutiny, particularly where such material is deliberately published and disseminated with the intention of causing reputational harm," the statement added.

Kakamega County said legal action had been initiated against Malalah and other individuals allegedly involved in publishing and disseminating the material.

The county said the matter was reported at Kakamega Central Police Station and had been placed before the relevant authorities for appropriate action.

The county government also urged members of the public not to share the video or the alleged manipulated material further, while defending Barasa's religious background and public record.

"We call upon the people of Kakamega and members of the public to ignore, reject and refrain from further circulating the malicious publication. 

"The people of Kakamega know their Governor as a devoted Christian and committed member of the Roman Catholic Church, whose public service is anchored in faith, integrity and a commitment to the welfare of the people," the statement further read.

This comes days after Norda Industries Limited, the company that manufactures Ringoz, denied claims that the snack contains glue after a content creator suggested the same after mixing a sample of the snack with water.

In a statement issued on Friday, September 25, Norda maintained that no glue or adhesive substance is added to the snack, and explained why it turns into a sticky paste when mixed with water.

"The video suggests that this demonstrates that Ringoz contains glue. This is incorrect. No glue or adhesive is added to Ringoz.

"Ringoz is made primarily from maize. During manufacture, the maize is cooked and formed into rings. When the rings are crushed and mixed with water, the cooked maize can absorb water and form a paste. The sticky texture shown in the video is consistent with this behaviour," the statement read.

The company maintained that the product was fit for human consumption, especially by children. It also shared its approval permit from the Kenya Bureau of Standards.

"We assure you that our snacks are safe for consumption. Ringoz is manufactured under a Kenya Bureau of Standards Standardization Mark permit (No: 38470)," the statement added.