CS Alfred Mutua Denounces AI-Generated Image of Him Kneeling with President Ruto

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has flagged as fake an image showing him kneeling beside President William Ruto during a public event. In a notice on Tuesday, January 21, Mutua said that the image is AI-generated and is being circulated by individuals who want to spread misinformation and misunderstandings. The CS has cautioned the public against spreading the image or any other unverified images, since it amounts to digital misinformation. Kenyans have been further encouraged to remain vigilant while consuming online content by ensuring that they verify information through credible and official sources before spreading it. "I wish to alert the public that a manipulated, AI-generated image is currently circulating online, falsely portraying me in a misleading situation. The image is not real and has been digitally altered to spread misinformation and create misunderstanding," Mutua said. "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," it added. In the recent past, the rapid advancement of AI has led to the generation of AI-generated images, which look strikingly realistic and are being used to spread misinformation on social media platforms, where individuals rarely verify information before spreading it. These images often target prominent figures, including politicians and celebrities, in false situations and spark public debates online. Just a day ago, on Tuesday, January 20, AI-generated images circulated online showing Apostle James Ng'ang'a's Neno Evangelism Ministry Church, located near the Nairobi Railway Station, being demolished. The undated photo showed an excavator tearing into the church building as crowds purportedly watched from a distance. The images were accompanied by a caption alleging that the government was demolishing the church to pave the way for the construction of a railway line. A spotcheck conducted by Kenyans.co.ke indicated that the image that had sparked debate on the internet was generated using Artificial Intelligence, and that the demolition claims were misleading. In December 2025, an AI-generated image showing Mood, the famous matatu owned by President William Ruto's son, George Ruto, had rammed. However, a quick visual spot check by Kenyans.co.ke revealed some inconsistencies in the image, including irregular background elements, which are typical signs of an AI-generated image.