In Kenya and Nigeria, influential bloggers have revealed that key political figures regularly hire them to run fake accounts, manipulate public opinion, and stoke tensions during elections. The presidential races in Kenya in 2022 and Nigeria in 2023 were fiercely contested, leading to a surge in false information targeting candidates.
Mark Duerksen, a researcher at the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, highlighted the prevalence of disinformation during these elections, aimed at undermining political institutions, casting doubt on electoral processes, and defaming opponents. The young population of the continent has facilitated the growth of an industry where online personalities echo politicians’ views, create false narratives, deflect criticism, and spread viral conspiracies.
Several bloggers in Kenya and Nigeria, interviewed anonymously, admitted to being recruited by political parties to conduct large-scale disinformation campaigns to discredit rivals. One notable Nigerian blogger, Rabiu Biyora, openly admitted receiving gifts and money from members of the ruling party in exchange for his support.
The lucrative nature of the disinformation market has enticed bloggers in both countries, with some earning substantial amounts during election campaigns. The use of bloggers to influence public opinion and target opponents has become a common strategy for political parties in Nigeria and Kenya.
The Africa Center for Strategic Studies highlighted the increasing role of domestic actors in spreading disinformation during elections, noting that young university students are often targeted for recruitment by politicians. The prevalence of disinformation in recent elections underscores the need for greater scrutiny and accountability in the digital sphere. Onyonka stated that he started political blogging because he was inspired by the actions of others. He mentioned that he has continued this pursuit due to a lack of steady employment after finishing his studies. Two Kenyan bloggers who worked for opposing presidential candidates revealed that they were pressured into signing contracts and nondisclosure agreements without being given the chance to review them. They mentioned receiving new phones and laptops as part of their roles. One tactic they employed was creating fake front pages with fabricated scandals about political candidates to influence voters’ decisions in Kenya and Nigeria. They also used hashtags and fake profiles to promote their candidates and push false narratives about their opponents. These actions have raised concerns about the impact of political disinformation on democracy in Africa. Notable personalities, including politicians and bloggers, have been involved in spreading misleading content to manipulate public opinion. As Kenya and Nigeria prepare for upcoming elections, these mercenaries are looking to profit once again from the political landscape. “Aunque en público los políticos negarán nuestra asociación, nos remuneran generosamente a través de intermedarios por nuestros servicios.”