Scam Alert: Raila Odinga’s Hacked Account Sparks Crypto Panic Across Kenya

Scam Alert: Raila Odinga’s Hacked Account Sparks Crypto Panic Across Kenya

A wave of panic and confusion swept across Kenya on Thursday, September 18, after a deepfake video of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga endorsing a cryptocurrency surfaced online. The video, posted on his verified X account, appeared convincing and quickly went viral before being deleted later that evening.

“Kenya Is Leading Africa Into Crypto”—But It Wasn’t Raila

The video showed Odinga allegedly praising a new digital coin.

“Kenya is stepping up to lead Africa into the crypto revolution, embracing digital finance and shaping a more crypto-friendly future,” the deepfake claimed.

However, it didn’t take long for sharp-eyed Kenyans to spot inconsistencies. Many flagged the video as AI-generated and demanded clarification. Soon after, sources close to Odinga confirmed the account had been hacked.

“This is a scam. Raila never endorsed any cryptocurrency,” a source from his team stated.

Millions Fooled, Millions Lost

Shockingly, reports suggest that nearly 20% of the token’s supply was purchased within hours of the video’s release. Many Kenyans, trusting the endorsement, rushed to invest.

“I thought it was real. It came from his account,” said a Nairobi-based investor who lost over Ksh50,000.

The video’s deletion came too late. The damage had already been done. This incident highlights the growing threat of crypto scams on social media, especially on platforms like X.

Not the First Time—CS Kabogo Also Linked

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the same cryptocurrency has appeared in high-profile endorsements. On July 11, a post from an account linked to ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo also praised the token.

“It reflects the growing confidence in tokenisation as a tool for value exchange, inclusion, and innovation,” the post read.

Although Kabogo has not publicly denied the post, many now question its authenticity.

Authorities Urged to Act Swiftly

Cybersecurity experts and political analysts are now urging the government to investigate the scam thoroughly. They warn that deepfake technology is becoming more sophisticated and dangerous.

“This is a wake-up call. We need stronger digital safeguards,” said a cybersecurity analyst.

Meanwhile, Kenyans are being advised to verify all financial endorsements and avoid investing based on social media hype.

“Don’t trust everything you see online. Scammers are getting smarter,” warned a digital finance expert.

As investigations begin, the nation watches closely, hoping for justice and tighter controls on digital fraud.

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Scam Alert: Raila Odinga’s Hacked Account Sparks Crypto Panic Across Kenya