BBC deputy Africa editor Anne Soy and BBC Verify Peter Mwai reported that police fired at protesters outside parliament in Nairobi just 10 minutes ago. This incident occurred amidst a week of violence in the Kenyan capital, with the government being accused of responding brutally to protests. Rumours of a massacre in Githurai, a residential suburb of Nairobi, quickly spread on social media, with some claiming over 200 people had been killed. However, a BBC investigation found no evidence of mass killings in Githurai, highlighting how misinformation can easily spread during times of crisis. The story unfolded as tens of thousands attended protests in central Nairobi, leading to violent clashes and looting. Videos authenticated by BBC Verify showed heavy gunfire in Githurai, but no verifiable evidence of mass killings has been found. Despite this, reports of a massacre circulated widely, prompting calls for international investigations. Public bodies, such as the Law Society of Kenya, referred to the incident as a “massacre,” but later retracted their statements due to lack of evidence. The situation in Githurai remains unclear, with conflicting reports and calls for further investigation.
