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Governor of Kakamega County, H.E. FCPA Fernandes Barasa, speaking during an official meeting seated behind a desk with a county flag and nameplate.

Fernandes Barasa Disputes Viral Video; Malala’s Lawyers Reject Retraction Demand

Kelvin Kibet

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa’s office said on September 29, 2026, that a viral video purporting to link him to a ritual was manipulated and AI-generated. The county said it had reported the matter to police. The following day, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala’s lawyers rejected Barasa’s demand for a retraction and disputed the county’s account, according to local reporting.

What each side says

The Governor’s Press Unit said an official photograph had been attached to manipulated footage and accused Malala and others of circulating it. Malala’s lawyers denied the demand and said they would release further material. Those are competing claims. The sources reviewed for this article do not include an independent forensic assessment establishing the video’s origin or authenticity.

What readers should take from this

A statement that a video is AI-generated is not itself a forensic finding, and a threat to release more material does not verify its contents. Until independent evidence or an official investigation establishes provenance, readers should avoid presenting the clip or the allegations as fact and should not amplify private or potentially defamatory material.

Sources: Western Kenya Times on the county’s statement; its report on Malala’s lawyers’ response.

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Kelvin Kibet

Kelvin Kibet is a journalist and multimedia professional with more than six years of experience in journalism, digital media, content production, and newsroom operations.As Editor-in-Chief of Daily Report KE, Kelvin provides editorial leadership and oversees the quality, accuracy, and integrity of the platform's published content. He works with the editorial team to ensure that stories are properly reviewed, fact-checked, contextualized, and presented in accordance with professional journalistic standards.His responsibilities include supervising reporting processes, coordinating newsroom operations, reviewing stories before publication, strengthening editorial procedures, and maintaining standards of accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism.Kelvin has experience in news reporting, digital journalism, multimedia storytelling, video production, community journalism, and editorial management. He is committed to producing informative, accurate, and public-interest content for Daily Report KE's readers.Areas of Expertise News Reporting Digital Journalism Multimedia Storytelling Investigative Reporting Community Journalism Editorial Management Video Production Content Production Key Responsibilities Editorial leadership and oversight Story review and publishing standards Fact-checking and verification Newsroom coordination Editorial planning and content development Newsroom ethics and quality control Maintaining accuracy and responsible journalism

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