Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has denied reports claiming she was attacked by goons while travelling to work.
The CS was responding to a video that has gained widespread attention online, showing unidentified individuals confronting and attacking passengers inside a vehicle in what appeared to be a road-rage incident.
The footage was subsequently shared on social media alongside claims that Miano was the woman involved in the incident.
However, Miano on Monday, August 31, dismissed the reports as false, urging members of the public to disregard the claims. “Fake news and rumours spread like bushfire. Please, just ignore and have a fruitful week,” Miano stated.
The reports followed the circulation of a video on social media showing a woman behind the wheel with two passengers, a man and another woman.
In the footage, a motorcycle carrying a single rider appeared to obstruct the vehicle as the occupants became visibly alarmed and asked the driver to keep moving.
The passengers were also heard asking if there was a police station nearby where they could seek safety.
The situation escalated after the vehicle came to a stop, with the motorcycle rider getting off and repeatedly striking the car before smashing one of its windows.
The footage concluded after the driver managed to reach a nearby petrol station, where the occupants appeared to seek help.
Typically, senior government officials in Kenya, particularly Cabinet Secretaries, operate with a relatively small security entourage. Government guidelines provide for at least one or two armed police officers to serve as bodyguards, accompanying them while travelling to ensure their safety.
Separately, government directives, including measures issued by the National Treasury, have sought to limit the use of public resources by restricting Cabinet Secretaries’ motorcades to a maximum of two official vehicles.
The arrangement generally consists of a lead vehicle responsible for clearing the way, the VIP vehicle carrying the official, and a chase vehicle providing security from behind.
An independent spot check conducted by Vantage Ke on the video in question showed no visible presence of detailed security guards, nor an immediate response by security officers to the brazen attack, leading to questions about whether or not the CS was actually present.
Additionally, the footage did not show a lead vehicle accompanying the car, leaving its occupants exposed during the confrontation.
Notably, the vehicle did not display a national flag at the front, a protocol marker used to signify official authority, rank, and the presence of a senior state official. This further raised questions about the identity of the individuals featured in the viral video.
An X user who first shared the clip was further questioned on the origin of the video, to which the user claimed CS Miano had shared it on her official Facebook page, but our spot checks found that she had not even shared the video clip in question.
Miano has since reassured the public that she is safe and continuing with her duties as usual, while expressing concern for those involved in the incident captured in the viral video.
“I am safe, fully functional, and working as usual. My thoughts and prayers are with anyone who might have been affected by this, wishing them strength, peace, and a swift recovery,” Miano stated.
The incident comes amid growing concern over the rise of goonism in the country, with political factions on both sides accusing each other of fuelling the trend.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has since warned politicians, regardless of whether they support President William Ruto, that the government will “name, shame, and arrest” those involved ahead of the 2027 General Election.
