Prominent journalist Saddique Shaban has sparked a heated debate by attempting to connect a a high-ranking official within the National Intelligence Service (NIS)—to the embarrassing deepfake video scandal involving Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei.
However, Shaban’s claims, which lack any concrete evidence, remain unproven, leaving the public and experts questioning the validity of his assertions and their impact on national security and media credibility.
The controversy began on February 21, 2025, when Sing’oei, a key figure in Kenya’s diplomatic corps, shared a video on X that appeared to feature CNN host Fareed Zakaria commenting on Kenya’s role in mediating the Sudan conflict.
The video was swiftly identified as an AI-generated deepfake, prompting Sing’oei to issue a public apology for the confusion it caused.
In his statement, Sing’oei expressed regret, thanked those who flagged the video, and announced plans for his ministry to collaborate with tech companies on watermarking AI content and launching the School on AI Diplomacy at the Foreign Services Academy to tackle such challenges.
Seizing on the incident, Shaban posted on X, boldly suggesting—without providing any proof—that the deepfake video originated within the NIS and was passed to Sing’oei’s phone by a senior figure, implicitly pointing to a top official like Dr. Irene Mukiri Mwingirwa, the Assistant Director for AI and Cyber.
Accompanied by a photo of Mwingirwa, Shaban’s post has ignited a firestorm on social media, with some users speculating about intelligence agency involvement while others accuse him of making reckless, unsubstantiated claims.
Shaban’s narrative appears to target the NIS leadership, but his lack of evidence has drawn sharp criticism, with some warning that such accusations could breach national security protocols and potentially violate Kenyan laws.
The timing of Shaban’s allegations is politically sensitive, as Kenya is deeply engaged in mediating Sudan’s civil conflict, including a controversial February 22, 2025, signing of a peace accord with intentions of forming a parallel government in Nairobi involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The deepfake incident has already raised questions about Kenya’s credibility on the international stage, and Shaban’s attempt to implicate a senior official risks amplifying those concerns without substantiation. Critics on X, including user @FinchApi, have accused Shaban of doxxing intelligence personnel, while others, like @HisMajestay, have labeled his claims as damaging and irresponsible, urging him to provide proof or retract his statements.
However, the deepfake controversy highlights the potential dangers of AI misuse, particularly if state agencies like the NIS are implicated, as Shaban suggests.
Some social media users, such as Mike Asudi, have referenced a 2022 Supreme Court case involving alleged fake affidavits linked to intelligence operations, seemingly bolstering Shaban’s unproven theory of a pattern of misconduct within the NIS. Yet, without evidence, these connections remain speculative and contentious.
Public reactions on X have been polarized. While some, like Sam Njuguna, have demanded Sing’oei’s resignation over the incident, others have focused on Shaban’s claims, with users like @Sina_Shida questioning whether a sophisticated agency like the NIS would produce such a poorly executed deepfake, casting doubt on his theory.
Meanwhile, political commentator @wmnjoya noted the video’s “very Kenyan” English expression, suggesting it might reflect domestic origins, but this observation does not directly support Shaban’s specific allegations against the NIS leadership.
Dr. Mwingirwa, named in Shaban’s post as a potential figurehead in the saga, has not responded publicly, and the NIS has declined to comment, maintaining its customary silence on operational matters.
