By Pascal Ibe
As Kenya protests continue over economic challenges in the country, many videos from these protests surfaced online.
Last week, part of Kenya’s parliament building was burned by thousands of protesters, protesting against a new finance bill entered and legislators fled, in the most direct assault on the government in decades. Journalists saw at least three bodies outside the complex where police had opened fire, and medical workers reported five others killed.
Protesters had demanded that legislators vote against the bill imposing new taxes on a country, East Africa’s economic hub, where frustrations over the high cost of living have simmered. Youth who had voted President William Ruto into power with cheers for his promises of economic relief have taken to the streets to object to the pain of reforms.
However, social media users have posted a video of persons eating in the bush and claimed that it was Kenya lawmakers who ended up eating in the bush after running from away from the angry protesters last week.
The claim reads, “Kenya parliament after running for their lives ended up eating in the bush “.
See video attached to the claim here 👇
A popular Nigerian, Musician, Charley Boy posted the video on his X account and wrote, “Kenyan parliamentarians, after running for their lives ended up eating in the bush 🤣🤣🤣.
Nigerian youths ooooo
“This will be benediction for Nigerian APC government, parliamentarians, low and high ministers, Ambassadors, ect ect.
“Kenya’s current dispensation is Just a friendly “good morning” compared to what’s looming and Awaits the so called giant of them all.“
Peter Obi Grassroots Movement shared the same video on X and wrote, “On the day Kenyan youths chased their parliamentarians they ended up having their meals in the bush for safety.“
FactWatch observed that this same video has been shared many times on WhatsApp groups since Friday.
Verification
First finding showed that the video where many persons are seen eating in the bush did not happen in Kenya.
We typed keywords, “Kenya lawmakers eating in the bush “. But it was not reported by any news organization anywhere.
When we checked the key frames from the video on Google lens, it showed that this same video was posted on X first on June 1st 2024, by a Tanzanian named James Mbowe.
Many users who reposted this video shared first by James Mbowe are Tanzanians.
According to the X user, James Mbowe said it was the funeral of Elder Francis Koka (104), Father of Silvestry Francis Koka, Member of Parliament for Kibaha in Tanzania.
James Mbowe made the post in Swahili language but FactWatch translated it to English language using the Google translator.
The full post reads in English, “Yesterday we participated in the Last Service of Elder Francis Koka (104), Father of Mr. Koka, Member of Parliament for Kibaha in the city.
“This ceremony was held in Mkolowonyi Marangu Village. Mzee Francis has finished his journey here on Earth at the age of 104. We are truly grateful to God for the gift of a long life to Mzee Francis. Who even in his old age was still sane.
May God rest the soul of his servant in the right place Amen. 🙏🙏
According to WikipediaOnline, Silvestry Francis Koka (born 15 May 1965) is a Tanzanian CCM politician and Member of Parliament for Kibaha Town constituency since 2010.
We came across some YouTube links of the funeral.
Verdict
Claim that viral video of persons eating in the bush are Kenya lawmakers is Misleading.
Findings showed that it was a funeral in Tanzania.
Please note that thefactwatch is a verification platform owned by CrimeFacts news
