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| Government Spokesperson Charles Owino addresses the media during a briefing in Nairobi on Aug. 26, 2026. |
Government Spokesperson Charles Owino has called for closer collaboration between the Government, media and the public to combat misinformation and disinformation, warning that false information poses a growing threat to Kenya’s democracy, peace and security.
Owino said the rapid growth of social media and increased access to smartphones, including in rural areas, had made it easier for false information to spread and influence public opinion.
“The greatest threat to our democracy, peace and security shall originate from people making decisions based on false information, misinformation, disinformation and fake news,” he said.
Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Owino urged journalists to scrutinise claims from both the Government and opposition and ensure public discourse is guided by facts and data.
“I want to ask members of the fourth estate that you must ask us hard questions, both government and opposition, because this is a democracy,” he said.
He said the media had a responsibility to interrogate information before publication, particularly as young Kenyans increasingly rely on digital platforms for news and information.
Owino also called for responsible use of freedom of expression, saying Kenyans should understand that constitutional rights and freedoms have limitations.
He cited Article 24 of the Constitution, which provides that the enjoyment of rights and fundamental freedoms should not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others.
The Government Spokesperson challenged Kenyans to assess the performance of the administration against its development commitments using verifiable information rather than political rhetoric.
He cited interventions in agriculture, digital services, healthcare, affordable housing and support for small businesses, urging citizens to interrogate available data before concluding that the Government had achieved nothing.
“We must be factual. Interrogate Kenyans factually. If something is wrong, it is wrong. I won’t take it. But lying to Kenyans? It’s wrong,” Owino said.
On education, he said the Government had released Sh307.5 billion in capitation to schools, including Sh18 billion for the third term, to support seamless learning.
He said the overall allocation to the Ministry of Education had risen from Sh500 billion in 2022 to Sh784.5 billion this year, while more than 100,000 teachers had been recruited over the past three years, with an additional 20,000 expected to be hired.
Owino also said more than 25,000 classrooms had been constructed during the period as part of efforts to improve access to education.
On unauthorised school levies, he said the Government had taken disciplinary action against principals who imposed additional charges on learners but acknowledged that some institutions were using alternative avenues to raise funds through parents.
He said the Government was working to address such loopholes and ensure schools complied with regulations.
Owino further urged Kenyans to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly, particularly during demonstrations, saying peaceful protests should remain peaceful and unarmed as provided for in law.
He condemned violence and destruction during demonstrations but said cases of police brutality should also be addressed.
The spokesperson also called on Kenyans to use the upcoming 16th anniversary of the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution to reflect on the country’s achievements and challenges under the Constitution.
He singled out devolution as one of the major gains while urging citizens to demand accountability from both national and county governments.
“We need to be honest to ourselves as a country, that as we enjoy our rights and fundamental freedoms, let us not prejudice the freedoms and rights of others,” he said.
On reports of Kenyans travelling to Russia for military recruitment, Owino said the Government had not authorised the enlistment of Kenyans into the Russian military.
He urged the media and other stakeholders to sensitise citizens against irregular recruitment and misleading employment opportunities abroad, while noting that the Government would continue using diplomatic channels to address cases involving Kenyan nationals.
Turning to the Social Health Authority (SHA), Owino dismissed calls by some opposition leaders to abolish the scheme, saying its establishment was anchored in legislation. Recent reports have similarly quoted him saying a future president could not simply scrap SHA through a political declaration.
He said SHA comprised several funds targeting different aspects of healthcare, including social health insurance, emergency and critical care, primary healthcare and hospital development.
Owino said more than 31 million Kenyans had registered under SHA and urged citizens to contribute to the scheme to enable them benefit from its services.
He challenged the opposition to present alternative policies and programmes instead of focusing solely on calls for President William Ruto to leave office, saying opposition leaders should be viewed as a government in waiting.
The Government Spokesperson also encouraged Kenyans to participate in the ongoing discussions on the country’s development beyond Vision 2030 by presenting proposals and alternatives as the country prepares for the next phase of its development agenda.
He called for continued public scrutiny of Government programmes but cautioned against spreading unverified claims, saying constructive criticism should be anchored in evidence and national interest.
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