Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has been forced to address social media rumours claiming that he had died, after a fake report circulated online and triggered concern among Kenyans.
Balala dismissed the reports, assuring the public that he is alive, healthy and in good spirits.
The former Mvita MP also thanked friends, colleagues and members of the public who contacted him after coming across the alarming claims.
Balala breaks silence on death rumours
The death hoax reportedly gained traction after a graphic purporting to be from a reputable Kenyan news outlet circulated on social media.
The post claimed that Balala had died after battling prostate cancer.
The information quickly sparked concern, particularly among people who have followed Balala’s long political and public-service career.
However, the former CS personally moved to quash the reports, making it clear that he was very much alive.
In his social media response, Balala said:
“I am well and in good spirits. I am aware of the misleading information that has been circulating, but I want to assure everyone that it is unfounded.”
He further expressed gratitude to God and appreciated those who reached out to establish whether the reports were genuine.
“I thank the Almighty for His mercy and protection. Hasbunallahu wa ni‘mal wakeel, I appreciate the concern and kind thoughts from friends and colleagues.”
Balala’s response effectively put to rest the speculation surrounding his alleged death.
Balala’s Twitter/X presence adds to reassurance
Balala, who has maintained a presence on X, formerly Twitter, has previously used the platform to communicate directly with Kenyans and comment on national and international issues.
His verified social-media presence has over the years provided a direct channel through which he can respond to information circulating about him. His X account is listed under the handle @tunajibu.
The latest clarification is particularly significant because death hoaxes involving prominent public figures can spread rapidly across Kenyan social media, often causing unnecessary panic before the information can be independently verified.
In Balala’s case, the former minister’s own statement provided the clearest confirmation that the reports were false.
Who is Najib Balala?
Balala is one of Kenya’s most recognisable former Cabinet officials, having built a political career that stretches back several decades.
He first rose to prominence in Mombasa, serving as the city’s mayor before winning the Mvita parliamentary seat in the 2002 General Election.
He later held several government positions, including Minister for Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services and Minister for National Heritage.
He served as Tourism Minister during President Mwai Kibaki’s administration between 2008 and 2012 before returning to government under President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Balala was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Mining in 2013 and later returned to the Tourism docket, where he became one of Kenya’s longest-serving tourism ministers.
His tenure in tourism saw him become a prominent international advocate for Kenya’s travel industry.
He was also involved in efforts to promote the Magical Kenya brand, wildlife conservation and tourism recovery, including during the difficult period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New international role
Balala has continued to remain active in the global tourism industry even after leaving Kenya’s Cabinet.
In 2026, he took up a senior leadership role at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) as Executive Vice-President for Advocacy, Government Affairs and Research, with the organisation’s headquarters in Madrid.
The position places him at the centre of global tourism policy engagement and government relations.
His continued involvement in the tourism sector has kept him in the public eye despite his departure from Kenya’s Cabinet in 2022.
Death hoax highlights dangers of fake news
The incident involving Balala once again highlights the speed at which unverified information can spread online.
A fabricated news graphic can easily be shared thousands of times before the subject, family members or credible news organisations have an opportunity to establish the truth.
For public figures such as Balala, such rumours can be particularly distressing because they can trigger an immediate wave of calls and messages from concerned relatives, friends and colleagues.
In this case, however, Balala personally stepped forward to reassure Kenyans that there was no truth to the reports.
The former CS is alive, well and, by his own account, “in good spirits.”
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