A High-Profile Crypto Scam Attempt
Kenya’s crypto community was thrown into confusion this week after a post appeared on Raila Odinga’s verified X (Twitter) account, claiming the launch of a new cryptocurrency called Kenya Token ($KENYA). The announcement suggested that the token would run on the Solana blockchain and help position Kenya as a global leader in digital finance.
Within hours, however, the post was deleted, and Odinga’s camp stated that his account had been compromised. Many observers noted that the video shared with the post—showing Odinga allegedly endorsing the token—appeared to be a deepfake, raising alarm about how advanced AI tools are being used to target political figures and investors.
Red Flags Around “Kenya Token”
Several warning signs quickly emerged:
No Whitepaper or Official Contract Address: The project offered no supporting documentation or verifiable smart contract details. Name Confusion: The token’s name drew comparisons to the earlier “Kenya Digital Token (KDT),” creating suspicion that scammers were attempting to exploit brand recognition. Wallet Concentration: Early investigations suggested that a handful of wallets controlled the majority of the token supply—an indicator of potential insider manipulation or even a “rug pull” scheme.
These factors, combined with the suspicious video, have led many to conclude that the Kenya Token was likely a scam designed to exploit Odinga’s reputation and Kenya’s growing crypto interest.
See more related: Kenya’s New 10% Tax on Crypto Fees Goes Live as Industry Reacts
Deepfakes and the Future of Political Trust
The incident underscores the rising threat of AI-driven deepfakes in Africa’s digital economy. By combining recognizable political figures with crypto hype, bad actors can spread misinformation at scale—luring unsuspecting investors into fraudulent projects.
Kenya, one of Africa’s most dynamic crypto markets, is already navigating new regulations under the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, 2025, which seeks to protect consumers and regulate digital asset businesses. However, this episode shows that regulatory clarity alone cannot prevent social-engineering scams.
What This Means for Kenya’s Crypto Space
Investor Awareness is Key – Users must verify details such as whitepapers, project teams, and contract addresses before investing in any token. Political Figures as Targets – High-profile leaders will increasingly be used as bait in fake endorsements. Policy Urgency – The government and regulators may face pressure to implement stronger guardrails against fraudulent promotions in the crypto space.
As Kenya positions itself as a fintech and blockchain hub, maintaining trust will be crucial. The Raila Odinga “Kenya Token” episode is a sharp reminder that scams evolve as fast as technology does.
