Kenya: A Testing Ground for Disinformation Tactics

Kenya has emerged as a significant testing ground for disinformation tactics that often find their way to the United States. This dynamic landscape was explored by John-Allan Namu, an award-winning investigative journalist and co-founder of Africa Uncensored, during a recent discussion with Scripps News correspondent Liz Landers.

Liz Landers: How do you think disinformation in Kenya compares to disinformation here in the United States?

John-Allan Namu: It's very similar. Many people forget that these nefarious strategies for crafting disinformation are typically tested elsewhere before arriving here. The final product we see is often a result of trials conducted in places like Kenya. A notable example is the Cambridge Analytica scandal; many of those tactics were first honed in Kenya before being deployed globally. We witness this pattern repeatedly, especially with how big tech influences various regions. In fact, there are individuals working under almost slave-like conditions in Kenya, training algorithms for platforms based here. Therefore, the differences between our two contexts are minimal.

Liz Landers: How has disinformation impacted Kenyans in general? What trends are you observing across the African continent regarding misinformation?

John-Allan Namu: Internet penetration in Kenya is quite high compared to many other countries. Similar to the U.S., once misinformation takes root on one platform, it tends to spread rapidly across others. The most concerning channels are those that are difficult to monitor, like WhatsApp and other dark social platforms. However, on major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X, we observe misinformation proliferating over days or weeks—often escaping correction before we can address it.

Liz Landers: As a Kenyan journalist, how do you perceive the evolution of disinformation in the United States?

John-Allan Namu: We're all watching closely—especially regarding how the First Amendment is upheld because that's at the core of this issue. Balancing freedom of speech and expression with combating disinformation presents a fundamental challenge today. Individuals must have the right to express themselves—even if they choose to mislead others. The critical question becomes: what are the boundaries? Rebuilding trust in institutions that act as honest brokers while navigating this complex landscape is essential for competing effectively within our marketplace of ideas without infringing on basic rights. Whether we acknowledge it or not, developments here will resonate globally.