Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has dismissed claims linking a recent attack on him to a romantic dispute, saying the allegations are unfounded and part of a growing trend of misinformation targeting public figures in Kenya.
Speaking on Saturday, Godfrey Osotsi firmly denied reports circulating online suggesting that he was attacked over an alleged relationship with another man’s wife.
He said the narrative was being deliberately amplified to distract from the real circumstances surrounding the incident.
“This was not a love thing, I have a beautiful wife, and we are happily married,” Osotsi said, rejecting attempts to associate the assault with his personal life.
The senator’s remarks come amid heightened public debate on the safety of political leaders and the role of online platforms in shaping narratives after violent incidents.
Osotsi argued that some actors were quick to frame such events through sensational and personal angles rather than focusing on facts.
Osotsi noted what he described as a recurring pattern in which attacks or deaths involving politicians are quickly reduced to romantic scandals.
He said such framing distorts public understanding and diverts attention from security or political motivations that may be behind such incidents.
He added that what he termed “state propaganda” often contributes to the spread of such narratives, especially in the immediate aftermath of high-profile incidents.
“It is unfortunate that in Kenya, when a leader is killed or attacked, the state propaganda will always want to make it look like a love thing, something which is not,” he said.
Osotsi further claimed that online influencers and government-aligned bloggers were among the first to circulate unverified versions of the attack shortly after it happened.
“Within ten minutes of the attack, government bloggers were already out giving their version on how I was attacked even before my own media knew,” he said, raising concern over the speed at which misinformation spreads online.
He also directly addressed claims involving a woman identified in online discussions, clarifying her role and rejecting suggestions of a romantic link.
“There is a blogger who has said I was involved in a love triangle. The lady I was with is known to everyone – she is Jennifer, and she is also my staff member,” Osotsi said.
The senator urged caution in how political incidents are reported and discussed, warning that unverified claims can endanger reputations and worsen public mistrust.
He emphasized the need for responsible communication, especially in the digital space where information spreads rapidly and often without verification.