A social media post has been making rounds, claiming that Fred Matiang'i, a former Cabinet Secretary and presidential aspirant, vowed to close Kisii State Lodge if elected president. The graphic, which bears the logo of Kenyans.co.ke, reads: "I will close Kisii State Lodge once elected as president." This claim began circulating shortly after Matiang'i appeared in a television interview discussing government expenditure on State Houses and State Lodges.
Kisii State Lodge is one of Kenya's official presidential residences used during state visits to the region. Matiang'i recently appeared in a televised interview where he outlined his views on reducing government expenditure. In the interview, aired on August 10, 2026, Matiang'i expressed his intention to close some State Houses and State Lodges, citing the financial burden on taxpayers.
During the interview, Matiang'i stated, "I have always said, God willing, that if I get the opportunity to become president of this country, I would close about half of the State Houses and State Lodges we have." He suggested that some of the funds could instead be redirected to priority sectors. However, at no point did he mention Kisii State Lodge or any other State Lodge by name.
Piga Firimbi searched Kenyans.co.ke's official website and verified social media accounts but found no evidence that the publication ever shared the graphic. The viral claim appears to be a fabrication, using manipulated or misleading content involving Matiang'i to misinform the public. This is not the first time Matiang'i has been targeted by misleading content online.
In May 2023, Piga Firimbi fact-checked viral social media posts claiming images of Matiang'i with President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto had been taken on March 13, 2023, suggesting a political rapprochement. Verification established that the images were old and had been recirculated out of context to support a false narrative.
The latest fabricated quote follows a similar pattern of using manipulated or misleading content involving Matiang'i to misinform the public. As a result, the claim that Fred Matiang'i said he would close Kisii State Lodge if elected president has been deemed false.
The verification process highlights the importance of fact-checking information, especially with regards to public figures and sensitive topics. It also underscores the need for the public to be cautious when consuming information on social media, and to verify information through reputable sources before accepting it as true.
Key points
- The viral graphic claiming Fred Matiang'i said he would close Kisii State Lodge if elected president is false.
- Matiang'i actually stated that he would close about half of the State Houses and State Lodges if elected president, but did not mention Kisii State Lodge specifically.
- The claim appears to be a fabrication, using manipulated or misleading content involving Matiang'i to misinform the public.
