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An image circulating on social media appears to show Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruits lying on the ground and forming the word “TUTAM”, a slogan associated with President William Ruto and his supporters.
The image has been shared as though it captures a real formation by KDF recruits, raising questions about whether members of Kenya’s military participated in a display carrying a political message.
But is the image real?
The image has been shared as though it captures a real formation by KDF recruits, raising questions about whether members of Kenya’s military participated in a display carrying a political message.
But is the image real?
- Tunachokijua
- What does “TUTAM” mean?
“TUTAM” is derived from the Swahili phrase “Tutam”, popularised in Kenyan political discourse from President William Ruto’s repeated use of phrases beginning with “Tutam…” — loosely referring to promises of what his administration “will do”.
The phrase has since become widely used online, both by supporters and critics of the government, and has appeared in memes, political commentary and social media conversations.
What was happening that day?
The image emerged around the time of a KDF recruits’ pass-out parade at the Defence Forces Recruits Training School in Eldoret, an official military ceremony attended by President William Ruto.
During such ceremonies, recruits who have completed their basic military training participate in drills, formations and other displays before officially joining different services and units within the Kenya Defence Forces.
However, while genuine photographs and videos from the ceremony showed KDF recruits participating in organised military formations, there is no credible evidence that they formed the word “TUTAM” for President Ruto.
Africa Check investigated the viral image and found indications that it had been generated using artificial intelligence rather than being an authentic photograph from the KDF event.
The fact-check also found inconsistencies commonly associated with AI-generated imagery, including irregularities in the appearance and arrangement of the people shown in the picture.
No credible media reports, official KDF photographs or footage from the ceremony corroborated the alleged “TUTAM” formation.
THE VERDICT: FALSE
The viral image claiming to show Kenya Defence Forces recruits displaying a “TUTAM” formation for President William Ruto is not authentic.
The image was AI-generated and does not represent an actual formation performed by KDF recruits.
The genuine event took place, but the viral image adds something that did not happen — making the claim FALSE.
