AI Propaganda Machine Exposed in Kenya as Anthropic Investigation Reveals Posts Praising Opiyo Wandayi

Anthropic, a U.S. artificial‑intelligence company, has released findings that Kenyan political actors used its Claude AI system to generate a large volume of social‑media posts praising Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and attacking opposition figures.

The investigation shows that an operator instructed Claude to produce batches of 50 posts at a time, each written in a slightly different style. The aim was to make the messages appear as spontaneous opinions from ordinary Kenyans, creating the illusion of grassroots support for Wandayi and government policies.

Positive content focused on Wandayi’s handling of electricity tariffs, with hashtags such as #PowerReliefKE and #PoweringTheNewKenya incorporated into the campaign. At the same time, the AI‑generated posts targeted political opponents and promoted narratives that questioned the unity and strength of President William Ruto’s rivals.

Anthropic’s report highlights how AI can be used to manufacture the appearance of public endorsement while simultaneously spreading negative narratives against competitors. The revelations come as Kenya approaches its 2027 general election, a period in which social media is expected to play a decisive role in shaping voter opinion.

While political figures routinely receive praise online, the use of AI to create the impression of widespread independent support is a new development that raises concerns about the authenticity of political discourse on digital platforms.

Anthropic’s findings underscore the potential for artificial intelligence to transform political propaganda by enabling rapid, large‑scale production of coordinated messaging that can influence public perception.

Further investigations are expected to examine the extent of AI‑driven political communication in Kenya and its implications for electoral integrity.

Article source: kenya-today.com | Image credit: Anthropic