Orengo's health conundrum and risk of fake news

Siaya Governor James Orengo at the burial of Rarieda’s first MP & former Ambassador Bob Jalang’o in Obaga, West Asembo. [Courtesy/James Orengo/X]

When people hear “fake news,” they often think it was born on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. It wasn’t. Fake news has been around as long as news itself—only the tools have changed. It’s worn many disguises over the years: propaganda, hoaxes, satire and even “harmless” comedy.

Take the Great Moon Hoax of 1835. A New York newspaper claimed life had been discovered on the Moon—winged creatures, forests, oceans, the works. They even credited the “discovery” to a respected astronomer, Sir John Herschel. It sold papers like hotcakes. Only later did the paper admit it was all made up. Fast forward to today. The difference isn’t existence of fake news—it’s how fast it spreads. Social media can make a rumour go from a whisper to a wildfire in minutes. And Kenya has its own examples.