AK flags Linda Ogutu’s ‘fake’ post on Omanyala, then releases same statement
On Monday evening when media personality Linda Ogutu posted a statement from Athletics Kenya (AK) with updates on the controversy surrounding Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala’s participation at the ongoing World Athletics Champions in Oregon, the athletics body quickly flagged it as “fake news”.
And with that Ms Ogutu, who is the Head of the Secretariat of the FKF Transition Committee, became the subject of a sustained onslaught from Kenyans on Twitter for “spreading” a fake statement.
Then on Tuesday afternoon, the same AK, which had flagged Ms Ogutu’s post, released the same statement, the only difference being that unlike Ms Ogutu’s the second statement was signed by AK president Jackson Tuwei.
Both statements have seven points explaining what led to the delayed issuance of a US visa to Omanyala. AK also addresses the question of 32 government officials who are reported to have traveled as delegates ahead of the athletes.
“The allegation that 32 government officials traveled to Oregon without following due procedure is news to Athletics Kenya. To our best of knowledge only three government officials have traveled to Oregon for the 2022 World Athletics Championship,” AK President said.
Reacting to the AK’s statement, Ms Ogutu cheekily demanded an apology from AK and unforgiving Kenyans on Twitter.
AK statement on Kenyan delegation to the world Athletics Championships in #Oregon pic.twitter.com/W0yPR1EtvO
— Lindah Oguttu (@lindahoguttu) July 18, 2022
Mniambie pole….na mtume pesa ya mtura na njahi…… pic.twitter.com/qhQVuM71FO
— Lindah Oguttu (@lindahoguttu) July 19, 2022
Hahaha! Ambieni @lindahoguttu pole https://t.co/QE4C39XCvG
— Gitz (@Gitz__) July 19, 2022
😂😂😂😂😂 the fake statement is now real! https://t.co/giDtynqcKm
— Oliver Mathenge (@OliverMathenge) July 19, 2022
We need an explanation when top former journalists who work for the system share fake news. https://t.co/ixwZLdgqm0 pic.twitter.com/M6uC6HP0oE
— Brian Mbunde ™ (@Brianmbunde) July 19, 2022
I saida it juzi most sports journalists & journalists in general wako under payroll ya Ministry of Sports. Kina Linda Oguttu knew what they were doing haikuwa coincidence. https://t.co/kXTe6N5eCq
— Former Jedi Master (@muya_gichigi_ll) July 19, 2022
Shawrry for fake news amekataa tuongee hii story ya barua 😂
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) July 19, 2022
Good morning Linda! The return leg kicks off now. Welcome to sports. So you shared a fake letter and claimed it’s from Athletics Kenya who have now said it’s FAKE 🥸 pic.twitter.com/cRVO6FsJtk
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) July 19, 2022