Caught Red-Handed: Foreign Affairs PS Sing’oei Deletes Fake CNN Video After Kenyans Expose AI Deepfake

Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, has found himself in an awkward position after being compelled to remove a video he had shared to bolster the credibility of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The ministry has been under intense scrutiny due to a series of diplomatic missteps, including the failed African Union Commission bid—where Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga, was decisively defeated by Djibouti’s nominee—and a recent diplomatic spat with Sudan.

In the now-deleted video, Sing’oei captioned it: “For the fake analysts who doubt the good faith of Kenya’s peace diplomacy, here is a cogent assessment by CNN’s Foreign Policy expert, Fareed Zakaria.”

The post appeared to be an attempt to restore confidence in the ministry’s reputation. The video, purportedly featuring analysis from CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, claimed that Kenya has been a stabilizing force in East Africa for decades—brokering peace, managing crises, and preventing regional chaos.

Screenshots of the now deleted post.

It further posed the question: Why would Kenya remain on the sidelines while world superpowers fail to lead as the region burns? However, netizens quickly debunked the video as an AI-generated deepfake, designed to lend authenticity by falsely attributing it to CNN and Zakaria, a respected journalist.

What the Fake Video Claimed

The manipulated video asserted that Kenya is uniquely positioned in East Africa to mediate conflicts. “In East Africa, Kenya is the only player able to bring both sides to the table, and Nairobi has been the center of brokering talks,” it stated. It went on to argue that Kenya’s response to Sudan’s actions was not reckless but a strategic move driven by national interests.

“This is not analysis; it is selective outrage,” the video claimed. “Kenya is not just acting out of goodwill; it is acting in its own strategic interest. Sudan’s war is destabilizing trade routes, fueling arms smuggling, and driving refugees into neighboring states. If Kenya doesn’t take the lead, who will?” The fake video concluded by reframing the question: not why Kenya is acting, but why others are not.

Public Backlash

Kenyans on X swiftly called out PS Sing’oei for sharing manipulated content, criticizing his judgment given his senior government position. X user Mohamed Onyango remarked, “I had to double-check to make sure this wasn’t a parody account. It’s both disturbing and embarrassing to see the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs sharing a deepfake on X. This is what happens when key diplomatic positions are handed out based on tribal loyalty rather than merit and expertise. A nation’s foreign policy deserves better than reckless misinformation.”

“Wow! Calling analysts ‘fake’ while using a deepfake AI video is a new low. @CNN and @FareedZakaria, your attention is needed here,” added X user Antony Alexandria Irungu.

“Like his fake accent, this is the most unqualified, incompetent Foreign Affairs PS Kenya has ever had. He should stick to human rights and international law. He has limited exposure to global power affairs,” Sitati Wasilwa commented.

“Unqualified, lazy ‘diplomats’ with zero knowledge of what it takes to be in those positions. Anything that flows with their narrative, they flow with it. What a shame!” wrote Boniface Mose.

Other users expressed concern about the potential damage to Kenya’s international reputation. “Is it conceivable that a whole PS @ForeignOfficeKE could knowingly post an AI-generated video of an internationally renowned journalist? Did you not consider the international embarrassment once @LarryMadowo picks up on this story?” asked Arap Muk.

Veteran investigative journalist John Allan Namu quipped, “These jokes write themselves,” underscoring the irony of the situation. Some demanded Sing’oei’s resignation, labeling the incident an embarrassment. Fareed Zakaria has not yet publicly commented on the video.

Context of Criticism

Kenya’s role in Sudan’s peace process has been under scrutiny, with critics questioning its neutrality. The incident comes just a day after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi issued a statement on February 19, 2025, clarifying Kenya’s involvement in the Sudan peace talks. Mudavadi highlighted Kenya’s history of conflict mediation and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to providing a non-partisan platform.

“Kenya has a long history of providing platforms for peace negotiations without taking sides,” Mudavadi said. “We strongly believe the crisis in Sudan can only be resolved through dialogue, not military force.”

Kenya also reiterated its alignment with the African Union Charter on Unconstitutional Changes of Government, supporting the AU’s October 2021 decision to suspend Sudan from its activities. Mudavadi noted that Sudanese groups have previously sought solutions through regional partners, citing a January 2024 meeting in a neighboring country where stakeholders discussed a return to civilian rule.

He added that the recent tabling of a roadmap by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese civilian groups in Nairobi aligns with Kenya’s role in facilitating dialogue. “We continue to offer a non-partisan space for conflicting parties to find common ground,” Mudavadi emphasized. “Kenya stands in solidarity with the Sudanese people as they determine their future governance through inclusive discussions.”