FACT CHECK: Is Kenya Getting Rid Of The U.S. Dollar?
A post on shared on social media purports that Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that the country will no longer use the U.S. dollar.
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Verdict: False
The caption is inaccurate. This video does not show a move to eliminate the U.S. dollar.
Fact Check:
Kenyan runner Evans Chebet has won the Boston Marathon again on Monday, making him the sixth person to win back-to-back titles, The Boston Globe reported. Hellen Obiri took the trophy for the women’s field.
The video shared on Instagram purports in the wake of the currency crisis in Kenya the President has decided to no longer accept the dollar. The video shows Ruto speaking at podium with a gaurd behind him. “KENYAN PRESIDENT TO GET RID OF U.S. DOLLAR,” text over the video reads.
The claim is inaccurate. The full video of the speech is Ruto explaining that the dollar will become available in the country. “Those in Kenya who are facing challenges of access to dollars that we have taken steps to ensure that dollar availability. . . ,” he says in the original video.
Kenya has seen a shortage of dollars in the country due to a variety of factors. Ruto blamed oil cartels for hoarding dollars which led to the oil crisis in the country, according to AA. This has led to the use of shillings in place of the dollar in certain business transactions, like oil. (RELATED: No, This Is Not A Real Headline About Male Pregnancy)
This is not the first time misinformation about Kenya has spread online. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim a violent protest happened at the former President’s house.
