Aasai

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Korir Sing’Oei faced intense backlash after sharing an AI-generated deepfake video on his official X account, portraying Kenya’s role in Sudan peace diplomacy.

The video, designed to mimic a CNN broadcast, falsely featured journalist Fareed Zakaria discussing Kenya’s peace efforts. Sing’Oei captioned the post: "For the fake analysts who doubt the good faith of Kenya’s peace diplomacy, here is a cogent assessment by CNN’s Foreign Policy expert, Fareed Zakaria."

Critics quickly pointed out the videos inauthenticity, accusing Sing’Oei of misleading the public. “It’s both disturbing and embarrassing to see a top diplomat share a deepfake. Kenya’s foreign policy deserves better,” commented X user Mohamed Onyango.

Others highlighted the potential damage to Kenya’s international reputation, questioning the Foreign Affairs Ministrys credibility and ethical standards.

A forensic analysis by Citizen Digital revealed clear signs of fakery, including poor video quality, mismatched mouth movements, and amateurish graphics. Neither CNN nor Zakaria shared the video on their platforms.

Amid mounting criticism and ridicule, Sing’Oei deleted the post, but not before it garnered over 60,000 views, amplifying the controversy.

The incident adds to a series of diplomatic missteps, including Kenya’s involvement with M23 rebels in Congo and hosting Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, which critics say have undermined the country’s standing in global diplomacy.