A viral video falsely claims to report on Kenyan and Somali deportations from the US in 2025. Investigation shows the footage is from 2017, discrediting its relevance. President Trump’s immigration policies have led to increased deportations, raising concerns within affected communities. The misinformation emphasizes the critical need for fact-checking to combat false narratives.
A viral video claims that KTN News reported on deportations of Kenyans and Somalis from the United States in 2025. Investigations reveal that the footage is actually from 2017, discrediting its relevance to the deportations mentioned.
Since President Donald Trump commenced his second term on January 20, 2025, his administration has enacted stringent immigration policies, leading to heightened deportations. In a congressional address, President Trump requested additional funding for these deportations, emphasizing security needs at the US border.
In Trump’s first month in office, records from the US Department of Homeland Security indicate 37,660 deportations, which is significantly lower than the average of 57,000 per month under his predecessor, Joe Biden. These policies have triggered protests in numerous states across the US.
A discrediting video purportedly detailing deportations has circulated on social media, featuring former KTN reporter Betty Kyallo. This report lists names ostensibly belonging to Kenyan deportees and falsely attributes recent events to the year 2025.
Fact-checking revealed that the video, although posted in February 2025, is based on reports from KTN News, which ceased operations in 2024. Furthermore, Kyallo departed the station in 2018, making her reporting on a future event impossible. A reverse image search identified the original video from May 12, 2017, highlighting the same names without relevance to the current claims.
This misinformation has proliferated across various platforms, generating concerns within the Kenyan community in the US regarding deportation fears and prompting the search for more immigrant-friendly locales.
Africa Check, a partner in Meta’s third-party fact-checking program, continues to combat the dissemination of false information on social media, underscoring the importance of verifying claims before sharing.
In summary, the circulating video that links the reported deportations of Kenyans and Somalis to events in 2025 is unfounded and based on a misrepresentation of earlier events from 2017. The situation reflects ongoing challenges with misinformation, particularly regarding sensitive topics such as immigration and deportation policies under the current administration. Fact-checking plays a vital role in ensuring accurate information is disseminated through social media channels.
Original Source: africacheck.org
