A video shared by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Korir Sing'Oei, purportedly showing CNN’s Fareed Zakaria praising Kenya’s peace efforts in Sudan is FAKE.
On February 20, 2025, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Korir Sing'Oei, posted a video on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The video allegedly featured Fareed Zakaria, a well-known CNN journalist, commenting on Kenya’s role in peace negotiations in Sudan. The post was accompanied by a caption stating that Zakaria had provided a “cogent assessment” of Kenya’s diplomatic efforts, seemingly countering criticisms from other analysts.
The video quickly went viral, drawing reactions from both supporters and critics of Kenya’s involvement in Sudan’s peace talks.
Fact-Check Analysis
CNN and Fareed Zakaria Did Not Produce the Video
An official review of CNN’s archives and Zakaria’s recent broadcasts revealed no such commentary. CNN has not published any segment or article that matches the content of the video. Furthermore, no official statement or report from Zakaria himself supports the claims made in the video.
Evidence of AI Manipulation
Several digital forensics experts and media analysts identified inconsistencies in the video, indicating it was AI-generated. Key signs of manipulation include:
Lip-Sync Issues: Zakaria’s lip movements did not align perfectly with the audio, a common sign of deep fake videos.
Unnatural Voice Modulation: The audio had an artificial tone, lacking the natural cadence of Zakaria’s usual speech.
Visual Anomalies: The lighting and facial expressions appeared inconsistent with genuine CNN broadcasts, and the CNN graphics and branding did not match the network’s current style.
Public Response and Official Retraction
Following scrutiny, Dr. Sing'Oei deleted the video from his social media account. He has also since issued a formal retraction or clarification regarding the authenticity of the video. The incident has sparked public debate about the spread of misinformation, particularly from government officials.
The video claiming to show Fareed Zakaria praising Kenya’s role in Sudan peace negotiations is an AI-generated deepfake. CNN has not broadcasted any such content, and forensic analysis confirms manipulation.