The civil party in Sudan remains at the heart of international concerns. Since April 15, 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rapid support forces (RSF) has mobilized managers and organizations around the world, calling for a peaceful resolution.
But in Kenya, controversy linked to this crisis has just burst. Korir Sing'oei, principal secretary for foreign affairs, is under the fire of criticism after having shared on X (formerly Twitter) a video generated by artificial intelligence. Presented as an extract from a CNN program, she features journalist Fareed Zakaria greeting Kenya's efforts in peace diplomacy in Sudan. However, this video is a "deepfake".
In his message accompanying the publication, Korir Sing'oei wrote: "For those who doubt the sincerity of Kenya peace diplomacy, here is a thoughtful assessment of CNN foreign policy, Fareed Zakaria. A legend that quickly caught the attention of Internet users .
A wave of indignation on social networks
Very quickly, X users identified the deception and denounced the dissemination of false information. The criticisms have shot, calling on the main secretary to remove the video and avoid this type of practices. Many have seen a new blunder from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, fearing a deterioration in the image of Kenya internationally.
Faced with the controversy, Korir Sing'oei deleted the video and presented public apology. But for many Kenyans, the case illustrates a deeper problem: the rise in disinformation within the government. Some have estimated that only a resignation or reallion could restore the credibility of the ministry.
A warning on the dangers of disinformation
This case comes as the Kenyan authorities alert to the growing dangers of disinformation. Noordin Haji, director of the National Information Service T, warned the abusive use of artificial intelligence and social networks to manipulate public opinion.
During a symposium at the National Intelligence Research University (NIRU ), he stressed that "if access to information is essential to democratic governance, the spread of false information is a real threat" . He insisted on the urgency to strengthen the fight against disinformation by calling for "the construction of robust information ecosystems" .
The vice-president of Kenya, Kithure Kindiki, also reacted, calling citizens to responsible use of social networks. "Kenyans have the right to request accounts from the government, but this must be done with respect and on the basis of verified facts ," he said, denouncing criticisms based on misleading information.
A crisis of confidence in play
The Korir Sing'oei affair highlights the challenges linked to the rise of disinformation and the content generated by AI. If the rapid deletion of the video and the manager's apology made it possible to appease the controversy, the incident raises a substantive question: that of the reliability of the managers and the responsibility in the dissemination of the information.
For Kenya, as for many countries, the challenge is to find a balance between freedom of expression and control of disinformation. As Noordin Haji recalls, the dissemination of false information can erode public confidence towards institutions and weaken governance.
This episode therefore underlines the urgency, for public officials, to adopt a more rigorous approach in the verification of facts before any publication. In the digital age, responsibility in the sharing of information can no longer be a simple choice, but a necessity.
Article written by Charity Ani Kosisochukwu
