Murkomen accused of spreading propaganda on twitter

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) now says there is a group of individuals on social media that has resulted to spreading propaganda about its (ODM) operations.

ODM says that the individuals are targeting the unsuspecting supporters and other social media users to make wild allegations and other unsubstantiated reports about the party and the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).

In a statement to newsrooms, CORD wrote: “We want to warn our supporters and those of the larger CORD family to be wary of a new trend by unscrupulous people who have employed outdated frolics to try and cause a rift amongst them by spreading cheap and dangerous propaganda on social media about the leadership of the coalition.”

Among those accused by ODM include Elgey/Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who it says made posts about a non-existent meeting.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), the Senator of Elgeyo/Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen, posted on his twitter handle minutes of a meeting of a non-existent ODM Advisory Committee that was purportedly held Monday last week supposedly to discuss, among other things, CS Ann Waiguru,” said ODM in the statement.

“The said advisory committee does not exist in the party’s constitution. ODM operates through its structures and that was pure propaganda.”

The statement further cited an incident in which an account a CORD supporter was hacked and a message about Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetangula being involved in an accident posted.

The post reported that Mr wetangula had been involved in a grisly accident along the Nairobi – Naivasha Highway and that he had been rushed to Nairobi Hospital with serious injuries.

“At the time this was being posted on social media, Mr. Wetangula was in the Senate Chambers and even contributed thrice on a motion before the House,” read ODM’s statement.

ODM further warned about the existence of parody twitter handles for ODM and CORD leader Raila Odinga and another one for Kakamega senator Dr. Bonny Khalwale, among others.

“It is through these handles that they used to post messages of sympathy to Mr. Wetang’ula. For the record, Mr. Odinga’s twitter handle is @RailaOdinga while Dr. Khalwale’s is @KBonimtetezi.”

The statement by ODM has asked CORD members and supporters to be aware of “such propaganda aimed at discrediting or tarnishing the names and images of their leaders.”

“They should treat such as desperate antics by our opponents who seemingly have run out of ideas. The relevant government institutions ought to investigate the escalating cyber-crime and bullying on social media with the aim of taking the necessary action,” added the statement.