Even years after his passing, late Kenyan business mogul Chris Kirubi’s Facebook page continues to display the distinctive blue verification badge, sparking curiosity and online debate.
Journalist Abdikarim Hussein has provided clarity on why the mark of authenticity remains active.
According to Hussein, Kirubi’s badge is a legacy verification badge. Unlike the new Meta Verified system launched in 2023, legacy badges were awarded to public figures and brands before the introduction of paid verification.
These badges are designed to confirm authenticity and are retained even after an account holder has passed away.
“Legacy badges are free and non-transferable,” Hussein explained. “They remain on profiles verified under the old rules, distinguishing genuine accounts from impersonators.”
The distinction between legacy badges and the newer Meta Verified system lies mainly in access and cost.
While legacy badges were granted based on public significance and credibility, Meta Verified requires users to pay a subscription fee to gain the blue checkmark.
Hussein noted that accounts with legacy verification continue to benefit from the mark’s credibility, ensuring followers can identify authentic pages without additional costs.
For Kirubi’s page, the legacy badge preserves the integrity of the late entrepreneur’s online presence.
His family, fans, and the broader public can still engage with content on the page, confident that it is an official representation of the Kirubi brand.
Experts say that the retention of legacy badges is part of Meta’s commitment to maintaining digital authenticity for prominent figures, even posthumously.
This approach prevents confusion and reinforces trust in widely recognized accounts across social media platforms.