A photo shared on
X purportedly shows Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua and his deputy Cleophas Malala holding beer glasses while seated outdoors.
Verdict: ALTERED
A Facebook post claims to show Gachagua and Malala drinking beer, accompanied by the caption:
“Gachagua is a serious drunkard.h e should not be taken with seriousness at all (sic).” The image depicts the two opposition figures seated on an outdoor bench, each holding a glass of dark stout beer, with a bottle placed beside them.
However, verification established that the photo is digitally manipulated.
A Google reverse image search traced the authentic image, originally shared by Gachagua on Facebook on
19 January 2026, showing the two leaders holding green coconuts (madafu), not beer glasses, and with no bottle present. Gachagua has also
publicly stated on several occasions that he does not consume alcohol.
Further analysis using FotoForensics’ Error Level Analysis (ELA) detected signs of editing around the glasses and bottle area, indicating the original coconuts were replaced with beer glasses and a bottle was added.
