A Facebook post featuring a video purportedly showing fighting in Moyale, a town on the Kenya-Ethiopia border, has been debunked by PesaCheck. The video, which shows soldiers in military gear and firing guns, was found to be a 2018 military exercise in Nigeria. The footage was verified using Google reverse image search, which led to a Shutterstock image with a caption describing it as a joint military exercise between Nigerian and international forces.
The video was also used in a 2018 report by Channels Television on Nigeria's national security ahead of the 2019 elections. The report discussed concerns about Boko Haram and featured the video under the title "LA DAGAALANKA JABHADDA" (Fighting the Insurgency). A comparison of the viral video and the Shutterstock and Channels Television footage revealed similarities in the location, military gear, and movements of the soldiers.
PesaCheck's investigation found that the viral video was not related to the conflict in Moyale, which has been experiencing fighting since October 2026. The conflict has led to the displacement of hundreds of families, mostly women and children, according to a Reuters report. The fact-checking organisation concluded that the video was a misleading representation of the situation in Moyale.
The viral Facebook post was part of a series of fact-checks by PesaCheck aimed at verifying information shared on social media platforms. The organisation works with Facebook and other social media platforms to help distinguish between fact and fiction. PesaCheck's efforts aim to provide the public with accurate information and in-depth analysis of suspicious posts.
The fact-checking process involved verifying the video's authenticity using Google reverse image search and comparing it with other sources. PesaCheck's findings were based on a thorough analysis of the available evidence. The organisation's work helps to combat misinformation on social media platforms.
The conflict in Moyale has been a source of concern, with many families displaced and humanitarian efforts underway to support those affected. The viral video's misinformation could have exacerbated tensions and fears in the region. PesaCheck's fact-checking efforts help to mitigate the spread of misinformation and promote accurate reporting.
PesaCheck encourages the public to be cautious when sharing information on social media and to verify the accuracy of claims before sharing them. The organisation provides guidance on how to identify and report suspicious posts and offers resources for those who want to learn more about fact-checking and media literacy.
Key points
- The viral video claiming to show fighting in Kenya's Moyale town is actually a 2018 military exercise in Nigeria.
