The National Police Service has issued a warning to Kenyans to be on the lookout after a surge in fake social media accounts impersonating the service, some of which have already misled thousands of people.
The NPS, in a statement Tuesday, December 2, said it had identified several pages and profiles across different platforms that pose as official police accounts. The service said many of these fake accounts are now actively attempting to deceive or exploit the public.
“It has come to our attention that there are numerous fake or pseudo social media accounts purporting to represent the National Police Service,” the statement said. “These fraudulent accounts are designed to mislead, defraud, or misinform the public.”
The police warned Kenyans against engaging with any suspicious pages no replies, no follows, definitely no sharing of personal details, and sending money. According to the officers, some of the accounts had gone to the extent of cloning the official branding, making it increasingly difficult for ordinary users to tell the difference.
The NPS let people know it only maintains three official, verified accounts: on Facebook, X, and TikTok. Each one bears the standard blue verification badge.
Bogus Pages Growing Popular
The most worrying case, however, involves a Facebook page that boasts over 400,000 followers. According to a brief checked out, the page introduces itself as a “police media” outlet and, among other things, posts updates on issues like recruitment.
The timing is worrying for the police, who have been releasing frequent updates on security operations, especially with the heightened tensions over recent by-elections in several parts of the country. Officers fear that misinformation from rogue pages could spark unnecessary panic or get people to act on false instructions.
How to Stay Safe Online
The NPS wants the public to verify the authenticity of any account before responding to messages or relying on information posted online. Anyone who comes across a suspicious page can report directly through the social media app, and reach the police through toll-free numbers 999, 911, and 112.
The service promised to continue monitoring the situation but underlined the fact that keeping online spaces safe is everyone’s responsibility. “Your caution is your first line of defence,” it concluded.
