{
  "id": 10895809,
  "title": "Kakamega Govt Rejects Video Linking Barasa to Alleged Witch Doctor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/kakamega-govt-rejects-video-linking-barasa-to-alleged-witch-doctor",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T08:20:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/kakamega-government-rejects-video-linking-barasa-to-alleged-witch-doctor/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kakamega County Government has rejected a video circulating on social media that allegedly links Governor Fernandes Barasa to an alleged witch doctor, calling the material malicious and defamatory. The county accused former Senator Cleo Malalah of spreading the video and attempting to tarnish the governor's image. The government claims the video was digitally manipulated or created using artificial intelligence to distort Barasa's character, beliefs, and conduct, aiming to mislead the public and damage his reputation. According to the county, disseminating such manipulated content against a public figure is a serious matter that requires scrutiny, especially when it is intentionally published to harm a person's reputation. The government has initiated legal proceedings against Malalah and others allegedly involved in the video's publication and distribution, reporting the matter to Kakamega Central Police Station and relevant authorities. The county urged the public to stop sharing the video, warning against further dissemination of the manipulated material. The government also sought to clarify Barasa's religious beliefs, stating that he is a practicing Christian and member of the Roman Catholic Church, committed to public service with integrity and the welfare of the people in mind.",
  "summary": "The county government accused former Kakamega Senator Cleo Malalah of circulating the video and attempting to portray the governor in a false light.",
  "key_points": [
    "Kakamega Govt rejects video linking Barasa to witch doctor.",
    "Video accused former Senator Cleo Malalah of defamatory act.",
    "Govt initiates legal proceedings against Malalah and others."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}