It was the viral photo that launched a thousand debates on privilege and parenting. An image showing COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli handing over the keys of a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (valued at KES 8 million) to a young man, purportedly his nephew who scored an A in the 2025 KCSE exams.

The internet exploded. Critics termed it "obscene opulence" in a struggling economy, while admirers praised it as motivation. There was only one problem: it never happened.

The Fact-Check

This morning, a furious Atwoli called a press conference at his Ildamat home to debunk the claim. "This is absolute nonsense orchestrated by idlers on social media," the veteran trade unionist declared.

• The True Story: The photo is actually from 2023. It captures Atwoli handing over a car to a church official in Khwisero, not a student. The young man in the photo is a youth leader, not a KCSE candidate.
• The "Nephew": Atwoli clarified that while he has relatives who sat for the 2025 exams, none of them received a car. "I reward education with school fees for the next level, not machines that kill," he quipped.
• Digital Misinformation: The incident highlights the growing menace of "engagement farming" on X (Twitter) and TikTok. Bloggers recycled an old photo, added a sensational caption about KCSE grades, and monetized the resulting outrage.

The "Bling" Perception

The lie traveled halfway around the world because it was believable. Atwoli is known for his flamboyant lifestyle—gold chains, KES 5 million watches, and a penchant for the finer things. The fake news exploited his public persona to drive clicks.

"People want to believe I am Father Christmas," Atwoli laughed. "I work hard for my money. I don't throw Prados around like sweets."

The saga serves as a cautionary tale for Kenyans consuming news on social media during exam season: if the gift looks too good to be true, check the timestamp.