PS Korir Sing’oei apologises for sharing deepfake video on Sudan crisis
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei has apologised after sharing a deepfake video of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria.
In a statement on Friday, February 21, 2025, Sing’oei said he regrets the confusion the video caused, thanking everyone who flagged the fake video.
“I sincerely apologize for inadvertently posting an AI-generated video disguised as a genuine commentary from Fareed Zakaria of CNN on the search for peace in the Sudan conflict and Kenya’s role in it. I regret any confusion this may have caused and thank everyone who flagged the video as a deepfake,” he stated.
Sing’oei says the government is working with partners and tech companies to explore the potential of watermarking AI-generated content to ensure that such material does not pose as human-generated material.
He also says the government is collaborating with big-tech companies to design the School on AI Diplomacy (SAID) at the Foreign Services Academy to equip policymakers better to navigate these emerging challenges.
“Our Ministry has been working with partners and tech companies to explore the potential of watermarking AI-generated content to ensure that such material does not pose as human-generated material. Additionally, we are designing—with the collaboration of partners and big-tech companies—the School on AI Diplomacy (SAID) at the Foreign Services Academy—a program I will attend—to equip policymakers better to navigate these emerging challenges,” he added.
“My apologies once again and sincerely appreciate everyone’s vigilance, correction, and candor.”
Singoei shared the clip on X, claiming it was an analysis by Zakaria supporting Kenya’s diplomatic role in Sudan, before deleting it after social media users flagged it.
“For the fake analysts who doubt the good faith of Kenya’s peace diplomacy, here is a cogent assessment by CNN’s Foreign Policy expert, Fareed Zakaria,” said Singoei.
This comes days after Kenya found itself at the centre of the diplomatic storm surrounding Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, simultaneously being praised for its peace efforts while facing harsh criticism from Sudan’s government over recent political developments in Nairobi.
On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi issued a statement reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to fostering peace in Sudan, which has been ravaged by conflict for nearly two years.
“The crisis in Sudan demands urgent regional and global attention. With its credentials as an enabler of peace in the region and across the globe Kenya remains at the forefront of seeking solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. As a country, we have committed 2 million USD towards global and regional initiatives to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi also called for urgent international action to prevent what he described as one of the world’s worst humanitarian and security emergencies, with approximately 11 million people displaced.
“Kenya has historically provided a platform for dialogue between conflicting parties in the region,” Mudavadi said, recalling the 2002 Machakos Protocol that helped end Sudan’s previous civil war.
“When Kenya offers this space, it is without ulterior motives. It is because we believe there is no military solution to political disputes.”
Sudan’s military junta slams Kenya
However, Kenya’s mediation efforts took a controversial turn on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, after Nairobi hosted a political gathering involving a coalition of Sudanese political forces and armed groups aligned with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been engaged in a brutal power struggle with Sudan’s army.
The event, held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), was intended as a preliminary step toward forming a new political alliance in RSF-controlled areas, with plans for a political charter to be signed within days.
Sudan’s foreign ministry swiftly condemned Kenya’s decision to host the meeting, calling it a declaration of hostility against the Sudanese people.